Factors affecting in vitro propagation of Dracaena sanderiana Sander ex Mast. cultivars. I. Sterilization, explant browning, and shoot proliferation

Abstract

Dracaena sanderiana Sander ex Mast. (lucky bomboo) is an ornamental plant belonging to the family Agavaceae. The factors affecting sterilization, explant browning, and shoot proliferation of two cultivars Green and Variegated of D. sanderiana were studied. Micropropagation of D. sanderiana is very important because of the limitations in its conventional propagation by classical vegetative propagation methods which give rise to several bacterial, fungal, viral and mycoplasma diseases. The in vitro condition can overcome these problems. Half-strength Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) media supplemented with different concentrations of 6- benzyl-amino-purine (BA mg l-1) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) (0.25 and 0.5 mg l-1) were used for shoot proliferation and plant regeneration studies. The effect of explant positioning on the culture media, whether horizontal or vertical, was also assessed on proliferation and growth of shoots produced. Explants of the ‘Green’ cultivar, cultured horizontally on media, were successful in yielding proliferated shoots. The highest mean value (4.8) was recorded on the medium supplemented with 2 mg l-1 BA and 0.25 mg l-1 NAA. Explants of the ‘Variegated’ cultivar, cultured horizontally on media, were also successful in yielding proliferated shoots. The highest mean value (3.66) was recorded on the medium supplemented with 2 mg l-1 BA and 0.25 mg l-1 NAA.