Modification of plant architecture of Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br.(Iramusu) by in vitro colchicine treatment

Abstract

he effects of different concentrations of colchicine on shoot and root development of nodal explants and germinating somatic embryos of Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br.(Iramusu) was investigated. MS medium solidified with 8 g/l agar was superior to the liquid medium in all the concentrations of colchicine. In nodal derived H. indicus plants, the highest number of shoots per explant (4.23±1.49) and the longest shoot length (6.36±4.29 cm) were achieved at 5 mg/l colchicines forming a compact bushy type plant architecture. In almost all the treatments an increment of shoot length and number of shoots per explant could be observed compared to the control plants. Furthermore, 1 mg/l colchicine was more effective in germinating somatic embryos to produce more compact plant type under in vitro condition. There was no significant difference observed in different concentrations of colchicine on root length and root …