Ramachandran Nair, SAnitha Susan ThomasKAU2019-05-022019-05-021996171420http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810101677PGStudies were conducted to optimise the in vitro propagation techniques via somatic organogenesis in Anthuruim andreanum va~ieties (Dragon's Tongue, Flaking, Pompon Red Honeymoon Red and Nitta) during 1994-1995 at the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani. All the five varieties responded to the callusing treatments in varying degrees. Regeneration was obtained only in the variety Dragon's Tongue and this variety was subjected to different treatments for refinement of callusing and shoot proliferation. The protocol for in vitro propagation of the variety Dragon's Tongue could be standardised. l\mong the different explants tried only leaf explants were found responsive for callusing. Callus was best initiated (50.0 % ) within 60 days when leaf explants were cultured in darkness on modified Murashige and Skoog basal medium (NH4N03 200 mg/l) supplemented with 2,4-D 0.5 mg/l, BA 0.5 mg/l, sucrose 30.0 g/l and agar 6.0 g/l. The callus cultures were subcultured in the same medium for two months for callus multiplication. Regeneration was obtained within one month on Murashige and Skoog basal medium supplemented with BA 0.5 mg/l, IAA 2.0 mg/l, sucrose 30.0 g/l and agar 6.0 g/l. Light was essential for regeneration. The shoots) was supplemented hydrolysate maximum rate of shoot proliferation (13.49 observed on Murashige and Skoog basal medium with kinetin 1.5 mg/l, IAA 3.0 mg/l, casein 150.0 mg/l, sucrose 30.0 g/l and agar 6.0 g/l after a period of six weeks. Improvement in growth of shoots was obtained by culturing in Murashige and Skoog basal medium supplemented with activated charcoal (1.0 g/l) and further subculturing to Murashige and Skoog basal medium supplemented with kinetin 0.5 mg/l and IAA 16.0 mg/l. A separate rooting phase was not necessary since satisfactory rooting was obtained in the shoot proliferation medium itself. Rooted plantlets gave a survival rate of 60.0 per cent on planting out.ennullThesis