To Study the Effect of Activated Charcoal,Ascorbic Acid and Light Duration on InVitroMicropropagation of Aloe vera L

Abstract

The research was conducted to determine the effect of ascorbic acid (50 mgl-1, 100 mgl-1, 200 mgl-1) and activated charcoal (0.5 gl-1, 1 gl-1, 2 gl-1) independently with different light duration (darkness for 4 weeks, and 16 hours light for 4 weeks followed by 2 weeks in 16 hours light) on shoot regeneration. Explants of Aloe vera were planted on MS basal media supplemented with 1.6 mgl-1 IAA, 4.0 mgl-1 BAP and cultured for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, degree of explant browning was evaluated. Explants were then cut vertically into two pieces and planted on shoot regeneration media. After 4 weeks more number of shoot developed on shoot regeneration medium, i.e. MS medium supplemented with 1.6 mg/l IAA + 4.0 mg/l BAP + 100 mg/l ascorbic acid + 0.5g/l activated charcoal. Browning of ex- plants was minimized in this medium and elongation of micro-shoots and the growth of the plantlets were also better. Further elongation and rooting of micro-shoots were obtained when sub-cultured on to MS basal medium containing 0.5g/l activated charcoal and 100% of the survival of rooted plantlets was observed after acclimatization. Therefore, the above protocol could be effectively used in rapid mi- cropropagation of elite plants of Aloe vera.