Rapid micropropagation of Geodorum densiflorum (Lam) Schltr. in liquid culture.

Technique for rapid mass propagation of Geodorum densiflorum (Lam)Schltr. has been developed by using thin sections of stems of in vitro regenerated plantlets as explant source. Thin sections of stems (1.0-1.5 mm) when cultured in modified liquid and semisolid Knudson C (KnC) medium produced 1.8 and 1.2 protocorm like bodies (PLBs) per explant respectively. Peptone (2 g l-1) was effective in promoting the survival percentage of the explants but had no effect on PLB production. BAP and NAA when used individually enhanced the rate of PLB production. But a significant and manifold increase in PLB production was noted when BAP (3 mg l-1) and NAA (0.5 mg l-1) in combination were added to peptone supplemented liquid and semisolid KnC medium. PLBs thus obtained were subcultured in semisolid KnC medium and obtained well developed plantlets within 10-12 weeks.