Micropropagation of dwarf schefflera [Schefflera arboricola (Hayata) Merr.] via direct shoot regeneration

Abstract

Schefflera [Schefflera arboricola (Hayata) Merr.] is one of the most
popular ornamental house plants conventionally propagated by seeds. Rapid multiplication of elite clones is an important driving force for the pot plant’s market. In this regard, In vitro clonal propagation of three schefflera cultivars, ‘Luseane’, ‘Charlotte’ and ‘Gold Capella’, was examined. Sterilization was done by 70% ethanol for 2 min and 1% sodium hypochlorite solution for 15 min. Shoot proliferation of the nodal segments was dependent on cytokinin supply. The greatest number of shoots was obtained when nodal explants were cultured on the MS medium with 0.5 mg l-1 TDZ for ‘Luseane’, or 8 mg l-1 BA for ‘Charlotte’ and ‘Gold Capella’. Subculture of nodal segments harvested from the in vitro derived axillary shoots on the multiplication medium enabled continuous production of healthy shoots with similar frequency. Plantlets of ‘Luseane’ and ‘Gold Capella’ demonstrated 100% rooting using 2 mg l-1 NAA, while ‘Charlotte’ showed 93.75% root induction by 1 mg l-1 NAA. Plantlets were acclimatized successfully using peat moss and sand mixture (‘Luseane’), loam soil, sand and leaf compost (‘Charlotte’) or peat moss and perlite mixture (‘Gold Capella’).