Full Length Research Paper

In vitro propagation of Alternanthera sessilis (sessile joyweed), a famine food plant

Alveera Singh¹, Thangaraj Kandasamy^1,2 and Bharti Odhav¹*

¹Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban 4000, South Africa.

²Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai – 625 104, India.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: odhavb@dut.ac.za. Tel.: +27-31-3735330.

Fax: +27-31-3735351.

Accepted 1 June, 2009

   Abstract

A complete protocol for micropropagation of Alternanthera sessilis using leaf explants was developed. Leaf explants from A. sessilis established on Murashige and Skoog medium were treated with various concentrations and combinations of auxins and cytokinins to determine the best method for callus formation, shoot regeneration and root formation. MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/l BAP and 1 mg/l 2,4-D was determined to be the most suitable for callus induction. After 2 weeks, the callus was then transferred to shooting media which consisted of half strength MS basal medium, 1 mg/l IAA and 1 mg/ l BAP. After 4 weeks, structures were observed with their basal ends embedded on the callus. These structures turned into green colored shoot buds. MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/l IAA and 1 mg/l BAP showed maximum shoot multiplication. For rooting, the optimal medium was half strength MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/l IBA. Rooted plantlets were then transferred to sunbag vessels which provided the high humidity environment. The hardened plants were then successfully established in the soil medium and can function in the natural environment.

Key words: Alternanthera sessilis, famine food plant, micropropagation, callus.