Poster: Vegetative Development

Abs # 427: Nutritional and Growth Regulator Requirements for In Vitro Development of Ten Taro (Colocasia esculenta) Varieties.

Presenter:	Josekutty, Puthiyaparambil C., ptculture@mail.fm
Authors	Josekutty, Puthiyaparambil C. (A)   Langu, Elsa B. (A)   Cornelius, Salik S. (A)   Kilafwasru, Tholman N. (A)   Mongekaya, Joesen J. (A)   George, Roland A. (A)   Nena, Neis H. (A)
Affiliations:	(A): College of Micronesia-FSM

Ten distinct phenotypes (varieties) of taro (Colocasia esculenta) were compared for their nutritional and PGR requirements for growth and development in vitro. Influence of kinetin (Kn), benzylaminopurine (BA), 6-(y,y-dimethylallylamino) purine (2iP), indole –3- acetic acid (IAA) and naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) alone or in combinations were assessed for their ability to induce multiple shoot formation, rapid growth and root induction. Media factors tested include consistency (liquid or semisolid), pH, sucrose and major nutrient levels. The data indicated no significant difference in pH requirement, but the effect of growth regulators on shoot multiplication significantly varied between varieties. Although 2iP is the most effective PGR for multiple shoot induction, kinetin in liquid media proved to be more cost effective for large-scale multiplication. Root induction needed no added PGR in the medium but activated charcoal at 0.1% w/v enhanced rooting.