Organogenesis and Ultrastructural Features ofIn VitroGrownCanna indicaL.

Abstract

An efficient protocol for micropropagation ofCanna indicaL., an economically and pharmaceutically important plant, was standardized using rhizome explants, excised from two-month-old aseptic seedlings. Complete plant regeneration was induced on MS medium supplemented with 3.0 mg/L BAP plus 1.5 mg/L NAA, which produced the highest number of shoots (73.3 ± 0.5%) and roots (86.7 ± 0.4%) after 2 weeks. Furthermore, the optimum media for multiple shoots regeneration were recorded on MS enriched with 7.0 mg/L BAP (33.0 ± 0.5%). Plantlets obtained were transplanted to pots after two months and acclimatized in the greenhouse, with 75% survival. In addition, ultrastructural studies showed that rhizomes ofin vitrogrown specimens were underdeveloped compared to thein vivospecimens, possibly due to the presence of wide spaces. Meanwhile, the leaves ofin vivospecimens had more open stomata compared toin vitrospecimens, yet their paracytic stomata structures were similar. Hence, there were no abnormalities or major differences betweenin vitroregenerants and mother plants.