Multiplication through in vitro seed germination and pitcher development in Nepenthes khasiana Hook. f., a unique insectivorous plant of India

Abstract

SummaryIn vitro seed germination of Nepenthes khasiana Hook. f was accomplished in order to conserve this rare, unique and endemic pitcher plant of India. Seed germination was studied on different nutrient media, viz. MS (Murashige and Skoog), ½ MS, ¼ MS, B5 (Gamborg et al.), ½ B5, ¼ B5, NN (Nitsch and Nitsch), ½ NN, and ¼ NN to ascertain the nutritional requirements of germinating seeds. Seventy-percent germination of seeds was observed on ¼ MS medium. Pitchers were found to have developed after 150 d of in vitro culture in seedlings cultured on ¼ MS medium devoid of growth regulators. Growth regulators in the medium were also found to have a pronounced effect on the development of pitchers on in vitro-raised seedlings. Well-developed healthy pitchers were observed after 120 d of culture on ¼ MS medium supplemented with 2.68 µM naphthalene acetic acid.