In vitro Growth and Shoot Production of Seeds of Crassocephalum rubens (Juss. Ex Jacq.) S. Moore (Asteraceae)

Crassocephalum rubens is a wild, economic and medicinal plant that is now threatened by genetic erosion in Nigerian ecosystem. The scarcity of the plant is due to indiscriminate collection from the wild and the difficulty in germinating the seeds. This study provides protocols for in-vitro propagation of C. rubens to supplement natural propagation, contribute to conserve the plant genetic resources and ensure its sustainable use as food and medicine in Nigeria. Freshly collected seeds were cultured on MS basal media supplemented with growth regulators and water of immature Cocos nucifera (fruit) as source of vitamins. The growth and shoot production of C. rubens were evaluated using standard parameters: viability; number of shoot; shoot length; number of root; root length; number of leaf primordial; and % callus formation. Data were statistically analysed. C. rubens showed different growth patterns on the six media used for the tissue culture experiment. The control medium (CMC) supported shoot production (1.00), shoot elongation (15.67 mm), leaf formation (2.00) but it gave the least viability of 30% and did not support the callus formation. Medium CM5 was the best in the propagation of C. rubens with 70% viability; 2.33 shoots; 47.33 mm shoot length; 36.33 mm root length and 65% callus formation. The established protocols for the in-vitro propagation of C. rubens in the present study will enhance its sustainable use and conservation in Nigeria. Researchers can raise plantlets for laboratory experiments using the reported protocols. Furthermore in-vitro cultured plantlets can be supplied to vegetable farmers to support its sustainability as an economic plant in Nigeria.