Abstract
Calathea ornata is a member of the family Marantaceae, with glossy, leathery leaves in attractive dark or olive green colors. Its uniquely patterned feathered or fish-bone design of distinct white lines makes it a high demand in the foliage industry as a house plant. The aim of this study was to develop a shoot induction protocol with efficient sterilization technique, best explant type and different combination of growth regulators as a cost-effective method for commercial invitro propagation. Meristem tissue of C. ornata was successfully established with minimum contamination percentage, by following the protocol developed for surface sterilization, using stepwise rinsing with several disinfections. Different concentrations of BAP (6-Benzyl Amino Purine) and NAA (Naphthalene Acetic Acid) were tested for explant initiation and multiplication in ten replicates. The data were analyzed using ANOVA in Complete Randomized Design. The highest number of shoots was induced on MS basal media supplemented with 3.0 mgL-1 BAP and 3.5 mgL-1 NAA. Subsequently, initiated shoots were sub-cultured for shoot multiplication and the highest number of shoots and shoot length were observed in MS media in combination with BAP 3.0 mgL-1 with NAA 3.5 mgL-1 . Above stated effective sterilization and shoot multiplication protocols could be used in commercial in-vitro propagation of Calathea ornata.
Highlights
In horticultural terms, foliage plants are those with attractive foliage and/or flowers that are produced in containers used primarily as living specimens for interior decoration or interior-scaping (Chen et al, 2002)
There has been less information in literature on in-vitro propagation of species of Marantaceae family (Dunston and Sutter, 1984; VanMil and VanTelgen, 1990). In view of this importance of C. ornata plant as a foliage plant and advantages of plant tissue culture as a rapid multiplication technique used in commercial horticultural sector, this study aimed to determine the effective aseptic technique in micropropagation method of C. ornata and to establish a successful growth hormonal combination to gain higher number of shoots that can be effectively used in commercial scale cultivation
Young shoot buds of meristems were used in this study and these were surface sterilized using the protocol shown in Figure 1 and Table 1
Summary
Foliage plants are those with attractive foliage and/or flowers that are produced in containers used primarily as living specimens for interior decoration or interior-scaping (Chen et al, 2002). Foliage plants are referred to as houseplants. With the increasing demand for foliage plants, it becomes a highly profitable industry with improvement of the standard of living day by day (Griffith, 1998). Higher usage of foliage plants in hotels, restaurants and the influx of tourists create more marketing opportunities and higher profit (Yang et al, 1998). Due to the high income generating potential, foliage plant industry is considered as an agribusiness venture that enable the socioeconomic development of a country (Chen et al, 2005).
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