STUDIES ON CHEAPER ALTERNATIVES IN MICROPROPAGATION OF PHILODENDRON (Philodendron xanadu)
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Date
2009-07-25
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University of Agricultural Sciences GKVK, Bangalore
Abstract
Cost effective alternatives for various expensive tissue culture
inputs were tested for their suitability in micropropagation of
Philodendron xanadu. Among the various alternatives gelling agents
tested, tapioca flour at a concentration of 8 g/l, was found to be the best
substitute to agar as the former supported plant growth which was on
par with the plant growth in agar gelled media. And the cost of gelling
agent for every liter of media can be reduced by Rs. 7/- , as compared
with agar. Coir fibre was cheaper than all other alternatives, in case of
liquid culture, where it served as an efficient supporting matrix.
Refined table sugar at a concentration of 3% (w/v) brings down the
cost of carbon source by Rs. 17.40 per liter of media, with no
compromise in any of the growth parameters. Similarly sterile tap water
and diffused natural sunlight can also be used as very economical
substitutes to conventional double distilled water and fluorescent tube
lights respectively. Plant growth in all these cases was found to be on par
with each other, with respect to all parameters.
The results clearly indicate that there is every possibility to reduce
the cost of micropropagation of philodendron by utilizing the alternatives
recommended in this study and it is in the best interest of the nation
that similar studies be conducted on other crops of importance as well.
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