Abstract
Anthurium industry plays a significant role in the global floriculture trade. To overcome the demerits of conventional vegetative propagation, micropropagation of Anthurium, through tissue culture is the most alternative techniques to increase the production. Somatic embryogenesis is the maximum expression of cell totipotency in plant cells. Somatic embryos initiation has been studied by using different explants, growth regulators and basal salt media in Anthurium andraenum Lind.. By using mid, proximal and distal end of young leaves on full, half and ¾ strength of MS media by reducing only the macro nutrients. The media were supplemented with benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2, 4-D) - in combinations. The embryoids were harvested at various stages and examined macro- and microscopically. Histological analysis of the somatic embryo initiation and development from embryogenic mass derived from leaf explants of Anthurium andreanum were conducted. Embryogenic mass along with somatic embryos at different developmental stages were fixed for histological examination, stained with hematoxylin-eosin and observed under a microscope. Embryos showed a sequence of developmental patterns from globular to heart and finally cotyledon stages. Only BAP 1mg/L and 2, 4-D 0.1 mg/L combination with ¾ strength MS was found to be the best for somatic embryogenesis using mid and distal region of the leaf. Shoot multiplication was observed best on MS medium supplemented with BAP 1mg/L and Kinetin 1mg/L. Optimum number of roots were obtained on simple MS medium without plant growth regulator. The regenerated plants were shifted to green house for acclimatization. Various potting mixtures were also studied, only coconut husk and charcoal in 1:1 ratio gave the best result for acclimatization of Anthurium.
