Mayadevi, PJulie, AlexKAU2019-06-242019-06-242006http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810109689PGStudies were conducted to standardize in vitro propagation techniques via, somatic organogenesis in Anthurium andreanum varieties (Liver Red, Acropolis White, Tropical Red and OO  KR) during 2004-2005 in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics and Department of Plant Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani. All the four varieties responded to callusing treatments in varying degrees. Regeneration was obtained only in the varieties Liver Red and Acropolis White and these two varieties were subjected to different treatments for the refinement of callusing and shoot proliferation. The protocol for in vitro propagation of these two varieties could be standardized. Surface sterilization of leaf explants with mercuric chloride 0.1 per cent for eight minutes gave 91.08 per cent sterile cultures. Mercuric chloride 0.1 per cent for 10 minutes was best for surface sterilization of petiole explants. Spadix explants required longer period of surface sterilization (Mercuric chloride 0.1 per cent for 15 minutes). Among the three different explants tried only leaf explants were found responsive to callusing. Whereas petiole and spadix explants showed only swelling even after two months of culturing. 57.45 per cent cultures initiated callus within 62.4 days in Acropolis White and 70.97 per cent of cultures initiated callus within 63.1 days in Liver Red, when the leaf explants were cultured in darkness on modified MS medium supplemented with NH4NO3 200 mg l-1 + 2,4-D 0.5 mg l-1 + BA 1.0 mg l-1 + sucrose 30.0 g l-1 + agar 6.0 g l-1 . The callus cultures were subcultured in the same medium for two months for callus multiplication. Shoot regeneration was occurred when cultures were subcultured to MS basal medium supplemented with BA 1.0 mg l-1 + IAA 3.0 mg l-1 + sucrose 30 g l-1 + agar 6.0 g l-1. In Acropolis White (71.07 per cent) and in Liver Red (84.41 per cent) of cultures initiated shoots within 72.7 days and 76.7 days respectively. Light was essential for regeneration. Shoot proliferation occurred within one month when the cultures subcultured to the same medium (MS + BA 1.0 mg l-1 + IAA 3.0 mg l-1 + sucrose 30 g l-1 + agar 6.0 g l-1) supplemented with casein hydrolysate 150 mg/l. Improvement in the growth of shoots and leaf were obtained by incorporating activated charcol (1.0g/l) to the medium. A separate rooting medium was not necessary since satisfactory rooting was obtained in the shoot proliferation medium itself.ennullThesis