In Vitro Rapid Multiplication of a Highly Valuable Ornamental Aquatic Plant Anubias Heterophylla

The present study focuses on the development of a micropropagation protocol for true to type plants Anubias heterophylla, valuable ornamental aquatic plant. Natural propagation species is limited due production small number with long cultivation period, disease and requirement large space propagation. Surface-disinfected shoot tip explants were cultured MS medium containing 0.1 % (w/v) activated charcoal (AC) supplemented 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) at different concentrations (0, 1.0, 3.0 5.0 mg/L) either singly or in combination alpha Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy (2,4-D) (0.5 1.0 mg/L). Among auxins cytokinin used, shoots initiated per explant varied significantly among auxin combinations. highest (3.60 ± 0.24) was formed culture mg/L NAA BAP, followed by BAP (2.40 0.24). In 100 regenerated new within 60 days. maximum roots (19.80 0.20 roots) observed after days contained AC BAP. With 100% survival rate, plantlets effectively acclimatized submerged underwater environments. Plantlets exhibited phenotypic traits that comparable those their donor This suited commercial heterophylla aquarium industry. HIGHLIGHTS initiation aseptic cultures from Optimization proliferation Rooting micro hardening rooted