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IN VITRO PROPAGATION OF BIRD’S NEST FERN (ASPLENIUM NIDUS) FROM SPORES

SAIFULLAH KHAN, MARIAM RAZIQ AND HAMMAD AFZAL KAYANI

Abstract: Micropropagation can be applied to produce those species of fern that are hard to propagate conventionally for the benefit of the ornamental industry. The purpose of this study was to assess the behavior of the Asplenium nidus under in-vitro conditions. Micropropagation of Asplenium nidus was initiated using spores as an explant. A series of experiments were conducted to evaluate best sterilization technique for Asplenium nidus spores. Commercial bleach at 20% (v/v) along with few drops of Tween-20 was found very effective. Explants were cultured on half-strength Murashige & Skoog (MS) basal medium and were incubated in the dark at 22±2°C. After 12 weeks germination of spores, prothalli were obtained. After germination, cultures were transferred on to fresh medium every 4-week. Prothalli were subcultured on half-MS medium along with Benzylaminopurine (BAP) (1-4 mgl^-1) and Naphthelenacetic acid (NAA) (0.1-0.5 mgl^-1) where they multiplied successfully. Maximum number of shoots was obtained after transferring explant on differentiation media containing various concentration of Sodium dihydrogen phosphate (NaH₂PO₄) along with NAA and BAP at the concentration of 2 mgl^-1 and 0.5mgl^-1 each, respectively. Addition of Sodium dihydrogen phosphate in MS medium plays a significant role in differentiation from gametophyte stage to sporophytic stage. Rooting was optimal at concentration of 2.0 mgl^-1 Indole Butyric acid (IBA). Best material for acclimatization was found to be garden sand.

Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology Division, H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan.

E-mail: drsaif@super.net.pk, Phone: (92-21) 4819017