Low Cost Multiplication of Curculigo orchioides in Shake Flask Culture

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Low cost multiplication of Curculigo orchioides on a large scale was done through direct bulbil formation from leaf explants in shake flask cultures. The leaf segments (1 cm long) were cultured in liquid MS medium without any growth hormones supplement. About 95% explants produced bulbils at an average of 5 bulbils per leaf segment in a 6 weeks incubation period. Total yield of bulbils was 250 bulbils per litre of liquid MS medium. During the incubation period, darkening of the media was observed from the 3rd week of inoculation of the leaf segments. This was due to the excretion of phenolic compounds from the cut-ends of the leaf segments. When darkening was highly intense (dark brown to black), it inhibited the further growth of bulbils. Therefore, once in six weeks, the liquid media was changed to ensure continuous growth of bulbils. Germination of bulbils was 100% on MS agar-medium (static medium) when supplemented with BAP: Kn: NAA (1.0:0.1:1.0 mg/l) growth hormones. Tuberous root segments also proliferated into dense roots when inoculated into the liquid MS medium, without any growth hormones.