In Vitro Propagation of Eucomis autumnalis, E. comosa, and E. zambesiaca by Twin-scaling

Abstract

Shoot formed in vitro from twin-scale explants of Eucomis autumnalis (Mill.) Chitt., E. comosa (Houtt.) Wehrh., and E. zambesiaca Bak. cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium containing 0.0, 4.4, 11.1, or 22.2 μm BA and 0.0 or 5.4 μm NAA. In all three species, shoot proliferation was obtained from single-shoot explants subcultured on medium supplemented with 4.4, 11.1, or 22.2 μm BA and 0.0 or 5.4 μm NAA. Shoots of all three species rooted readily on MS medium supplemented with 0.0, 2.7, 5.4, or 10.8 mm NAA. Overall rooting percentages were 95%, 98%, and 100% for E. autumnalis, E. comosa, and E. zambesiaca, respectively. Plant survival for rooted shoots of all three species was 100% following transfer to a 1 perlite: 1 peat (v/v) medium in the greenhouse. Chemical names used: 6-benzyladenine (BA); 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA).