Abstract
Effective multiplication technique for mass propagation of Osbeckia octandra (L.) DC, an endemic species to Sri Lanka with potential values as an ornamental flowering plant was investigated. Production of planting materials was evaluated using seeds, conventional vegetative propagation and tissue culture techniques. Effect of substrate on in-vivo seed germination and effect of Gibberellic acid (GA3) on seed germination under in-vivo and in- vitro conditions were investigated. Survival rates of in-vitro germinated seedlings were tested with three different acclimatization environments. Rooting performances of cuttings were evaluated by using both softwood and semi-hardwood cuttings treated with Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Effect of shoot multiplication of plant under in-vitro conditions was investigated by establishing nodal cultures. The substrate containing sand: soil at 1:1 ratio was found as the best for seed germination. There was no effect of GA3 on seed germination and a higher (P<0.05) number of seedlings (61.27%) could be obtained by the seeds under in-vitro conditions. Use of non-sterilized growing medium (sand : soil - 1:1) in a polythene sleeve arranged as a single propagator was the most cost effective way of acclimatizing in-vitro grown plants, and use of semi-hardwood cuttings with an initial dip in 500 mg L-1 IBA solution for 10 minutes was the most effective method for rapid plant multiplication. A successful shoot production was achieved by culturing single nodes on full strength Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 0.1 mg L-1 Benzyl-aminopurine under in-vitro conditions.
Highlights
Osbeckia octandra (L) DC. (Heen-bovitiya) is a branched shrub, endemic to Sri Lanka and commonly distributed in Dry, Wet and Montane zone within the country (Dassanayake and Fosberg, 1987)
The mean seed germination percentage on sand only (39.83%) and sand : soil in 1:1 (41.84%) potting mixtures were significantly higher (P
The highest germination percentage (41.84 %) was observed in the medium containing sand and soil in 1:1 mixture while the lowest was on the medium consisted of coir dust as a substance, indicating that coir dust has toxic effect on seed germination where the excess salinity and phenolic compounds on coir can be a problem as described by Ma and Nichols, 2004
Summary
Osbeckia octandra (L) DC. (Heen-bovitiya) is a branched shrub, endemic to Sri Lanka and commonly distributed in Dry, Wet and Montane zone within the country (Dassanayake and Fosberg, 1987). (Heen-bovitiya) is a branched shrub, endemic to Sri Lanka and commonly distributed in Dry, Wet and Montane zone within the country (Dassanayake and Fosberg, 1987). It is one of the wild plants, identified by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya to introduce as a flowering ornamental to the floriculture industry in Sri Lanka, because of its contrasting flower color opposed to its foliage, free flowering nature, simple cultivation methods and good adaptability in growing under greenhouse conditions (Krishnarajah et al, 2002). Propagation of O. octandra through stem cuttings can only be used in small scale production as it limits the number of cuttings required at initial stage of a commercial production. It is vital to develop a mass propagation protocol to generate the required amounts of planting materials for commercial introduction of this plant as a potted ornamental
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