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IN VITRO PROPAGATION OF CROTON  (CODIAEUM VARIEGATUM)

ASMA NASIB, KASHIF ALI AND SAIFULLAH KHAN

Abstract: Croton (Codiaeum variegatum) with its amazing colors and leathery leaves is regarded as a beautiful foliage plant. The plant is native of South East Asia. Generally crotons are multiplied vegetatively by means of cuttings and air layering. This process is slow in response and need to maintain large number of mother plants stock. Micropropagation is an alternative mean of propagation that can meet its high demand in relatively shorter time. An improved and enhanced method was established for the In vitro propagation of croton. A series of experiments were conducted for the optimization of shooting and rooting media. The best media for shoot induction was MS (Murashige and Skoog) supplemented with 0.5 mg/L of BAP (6-benzyl amino purine). The effect of the selected media was further enhanced by adding adjuvants like malt extract and peptone. The MS basal salt mixtures with BAP (0.5 mg/L) and 25 mg/L of malt extract along with 25 mg/L of peptone effectively enhanced the shoot formation. The In vitro roots were efficiently induced by using MS media supplemented with 2.0 mg/L of IBA (Indole 3- butyric acid). The sufficiently rooted plants were then transferred to the green house for hardening and 80% sand and 20% farm yard manure, as a potting mix, was best suited for the acclimatization of plantlets.

 Plant Tissue Culture & Biotechnology Division, H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi,

Karachi-75270, Pakistan. Email: asmanasib@yahoo.com