Effects of different sucrose and mineral salt concentrations on in vitro propagation of Nephrolepis exaltata. an ornamental fern

Abstract

The purpose of the present work was to make possible the rapid propagation of ornamental fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) by tissues culture techniques. The explants used were shoots from in vitro plants. All the treatments consisted of combinations of mineral salts of 'MS' medium (0,0; 25,0; 50,0; 75,0 and 100,0%) and sucrose (0; 15; 30; 45 and 100 g/l) concentrations. The best results were obtained in mineral salts 25% and sucrose 30 g/l, producing 2,6 new shoots. Sucrose 15 - 30 g/l had the best number of leaves and the mineral salt concentrations did not effect that character. It was also observed that higher levels of mineral salts and sucrose reduced the growth of leaves.