SATHYANARAYANA, B. N.CHARAN, A.2017-06-222017-06-222009-07-25Th-9409http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810022648Cost 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.ennullThesis