Effect of alar and CCC on induction and germination of bulbils in Curculigo orchioides grown in shake flask cultures

Bulbil formation in Curculigo orchioides is followed by asynchronous germination. The effect of alar and CCC incorporated in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium has been studied on bulbil induction from leaf explants and subsequent germination of bulbils. MS medium contained 1 mg/l BA and 0.1 mg/l morphactin for bulbil induction while germination medium contained 1 mg/l gibberrelic acid and both the media contained alar or CCC (0.5-5.0 mg/l). Growth retardants markedly reduces the bulbil formation, yield and fresh weight of bulbils. Incorporation of retardants resulted in 60% germination inhibition, thereby prolonging the storage conditions.