In vitro culture of four anthurium cultivars: histological development and effect of different culture media.

The auxin 2,4-D at 0.05 to 1.0 mg/l was found to be most effective for callus formation. On the other hand, benzylademine gave the highest degree of callus formation and shoot regeneration at 0.05 to 1.0 mg/l. The next most potent cytokinin was 2-iP followed by PBA and lastly, kinetin. Low level of ammonium nitrate at 103 to 206 mg/l was the best nitrogen source for maximum callus growth and shoot regeneration. Next in rank was sodium nitrate, whereas ammonium sulfate was inhibitory to callus growth. Sucrose was a better carbon source than glucose. Best results in terms of callus formation and shoot regeneration was obtained at 3% sucrose. High incidence of root formation was observed at high sugar levels. Coconut water was inhibitory to callus formation in primary leaf explants, but it significantly favored callus formation in single node cuttings even in the absence of auxin, especially in liquid culture. Shoot multiplication in anthurium tissue cultures was by enchanced axillary bud development and adventitious shoot production which effectively increased the number of shoots at each subculture cycle. Rooting of regenerated shoots occurred spontaneously or upon transfer to a medium without growth regulators. Coconut coir dust was the best potting medium for establishment of regenerated plantlets in the green house. Genotypic differences in response to in vitro culture was noted among the varieties used in the study. The variety Chandler was the most responsive in terms of callus formation and shoot regeneration. The variety Nitta was the next in rank, followed by the variety Kaonaiwan and Haga White. The variety Kaumana was the most difficult variety to culture in vitro. Plant regeneration from anthurium leaf callus tissues was through the process of indirect organogenesis through adventitious shoot formation from a callus. Regenerated plants did not show any morphological variation. Cytological analysis of root tips did not reveal any change in chromosomal number indicating relative phenotypic and chromosomal stability of the in vitro propagated anthurium plants.