In vitro propagation of Manihot esculenta Crantz in alternative substrate: Ammonium nitrate, potassium bi phosphate, Zea mays extracts and soil

Abstract

The study investigated an in vitro propagation of Manihot esculenta Crantz in a substituted substrate regime. The aim was to proffer and affordable alternative to the expensive high tech media formulations usually employed in tissue culture protocol. The experiment was conducted on laboratory bench, using standard tissue culture and micropropagation methods under aseptic conditions. The morphogenesis effect of the substrate was determined based on the integer number of explants’ callus and adventitious shoot regeneration. Results showed that MS + Agar, supported embryogenic callus formation with 38% viability, NH4NO3 + KH2PO4 + Agar, supported same with 29%. MS + 2, 4-D + BAP +Agar supported shoot establishment with 32%. While NH4NO3 + KH2PO4 + Zea mays extracts + Agar, did same with 43.26%. MS + Soil, supported callugenesis with 27% viability while NH4NO3 + KH2PO4 + Soil supported the callus establishment with 25%. MS + 2,4 - D + BAP + Soil, supported shoot establishment with 38.41% viability while NH4NO3 + KH2PO4 + Zea mays Extracts + Soil supported same with 36%. The application of crude Zea mays seedling extracts can serve as potent alternative to the synthetic 2, 4 – D and BAP, in in vitro somatic cell morphogenesis. NH4NO3 + KH2 + PO4 can substitute for the MS salt in the same protocol. Loamy top soil can be a good alternative to agar powder as gelling agent in cassava somatic cell embryogenesis and shoot regeneration. Keywords: Ammonium nitrate, Potassium biphosphate, MS salt, axillary meristem, morphogenesis.