Growth response of shallot (Allium ascalonicum L.) seedlings cultured on MS solid and liquid medium supplemented with BAP, Thiamine and Adenine Sulphate

Abstract

Abstract True Shallot Seeds (TSS) is the best choice of cultivation over bulb materials because it offers disease-free plants, produces larger size bulbs, and reduces cost production. In vitro propagation is an alternative method to overcome the TSS development problems. This research aimed to evaluate the growth response of shallot (Allium ascalonicum) cv Tuktuk seedlings, cultured on MS solid and liquid media with agitation supplemented with BAP, Thiamine and Adenine Sulphate. The solid MS medium was used to germinate TSS, followed by growth seedlings at control and treatment media. The experiments were carried out in a Completely Randomized Design with 4 replicates. Data were collected 8 weeks after planting. In vitro germination results showed that 5.96% of seeds started to germinate at the first week and reached 19.82% after four weeks of planting. After 8 weeks in the culture of TSS seedlings, shoots had better growth on solid medium compared to in liquid medium. The addition of BAP, Thiamine and Adenine did not significantly influence the growth of seedlings culture. Bulbs-like bodies were formed in all media. A higher concentration of plant growth regulators might be needed to enhance in vitro propagation of TSS seedlings.