Abstract
Zamioculcas zamiifolia is an ornamental potted foliage plant and a relatively new introduction to the world of interior plants. However, its low growth rate in conventional solid media is a constraint in mass propagation. The present study aimed at developing improved culture techniques that would enhance the growth and rapid propagation of the plant. Three experiments were conducted to find out the best type of vegetative cuttings, the effect of light on plant growth in a liquid (distilled water) medium, and to develop a new solid medium with nutrients to increase the growth rate. Basal leaflets without rachis were found to be the best cutting type for rapid propagation. Solid substrate was better than liquid medium for rapid rooting. Compost + sand + 0.75 g l-1 fertilizer nutrients can be recommended for rapid propagation of the plant. Plant growth was high in the light-exposed liquid medium compared to dark treatment. Interestingly, the liquid medium led to development of a miniature plant which could be introduced as a novel table-top ornament. The results of the present study would contribute immensely to the export industry of Z. zamiifolia.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/cjsbs.v42i1.5899 Ceylon Journal of Science (Bio. Sci.) 42 (1): 55-62, 2013
Highlights
Zamioculcas zamiifolia (Lodd.) Engl. (Commonly called Zz plant) (Figure 1a) is a tropical perennial, evergreen plant native to South Africa (Lopez et al, 2009)
Z. zamiifolia was discovered in 1905 (Mayo et al, 1998) and it is the only species belonging to the genus Zamioculcas (Chen et al, 2004; Wong, 2009)
Growers in Florida were the first to venture into mass scale production of Z. zamiifolia as an ornamental in the year 1999 (Harrison, 2009) and since it has emerged as an important foliage plant for interiorscaping and a festive decorative plant (Wong, 2009; Brown, 2000; Chen et al, 2002; Chen et al, 2004; Papafotiou and Martini, 2009)
Summary
Zamioculcas zamiifolia (Lodd.) Engl. (Commonly called Zz plant) (Figure 1a) is a tropical perennial, evergreen plant native to South Africa (Lopez et al, 2009). Propagation methods The first experiment was designed to determine the best type of vegetative cuttings bearing leaflets at different maturity stages that would initiate roots rapidly during propagation in solid medium (Figure 1b). Thereafter, two experiments were conducted to examine the effect of liquid media on rooting of Z. zamiifolia and to develop a liquid nutrient medium to increase the plant growth.
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