Effect of medium pH and electrical conductivity on the development ofAnthurium andreanum‘Tropical’ in tissue culture

Abstract

Anthurium is one of the most demanded pot plants in the European market. The effect of different pH (5.7 and 6) and electrical conductivity (EC) of MS culture medium (MS, 1/2 MS, and 1/4 MS) on growth parameters of Anthurium andreanum 'Tropical' was studied. An experiment was conducted on a factorial basis in a completely randomized design with three replications, including eight plant lets for each treatment. Leaf and root number, plant fresh weight, plant leaf area, total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a (Chl a) and chlorophyll b (Chl b) contents were significantly affected by EC of the culture medium. The largest number of leaves and roots were produced in 1/2 and 1/4 concentrations of MS medium, respectively. Full concentration MS medium resulted in the highest plant fresh weight, plant leaf area, total chlorophyll, Chl a, and Chl b content. Plant fresh weight was also significantly affected by pH of the culture medium. The interaction effect of pH and EC of medium significantly affected the carotenoid content. Plant lets grown on 1/4 MS medium had the highest and lowest carotenoid content at pH 5.7 and 6, respectively. No significant difference was observed in plant height, root or leaf number, leaf area, total chlorophyll, Chl a, or Chl b content in response to medium pH. In general, MS and 1/2 MS culture medium at pH 5.7 showed the most beneficial effects on growth parameters of anthurium 'Tropical' plant lets.