Micropropagation of the Araceae ornamental plants

Five species of Araceae plants were successfully cultured via in vitro methods. Multiple shoots were induced from four Araceae species, Alocasia sanderina, Colocasia antiquorum, Gonatanthus pumilus and Syngonium podophylum., when the axillary buds were cultured in Murashige and Skoo medium (MS) supplemented with 2.0 mg l(-1) N-6-benzyladenine (BA) and 0.5 mg l(-1) indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Basic MS medium supplemented with only 2.0 mg l(-1) BA was found to be the most suitable medium for induction of multiple shoots in Caladium hortulanum and Caladium bicolor 'Florida Crown'. However, the same medium did not induce multiple shoot formation for Caladium humboldtii. The in vitro shoot microcuttings of these five Araceae species produced roots when cultured in basic MS medium to form complete plantlets. All the rooted in vitro plantlets (100%) survived when transferred to the outside environment after acclimatization for two weeks in an incubator at 25degreesC.