title: The biology and in vitro propagation of the ornamental aquatic plant,Aponogeton ulvaceus.
abstract: Aponogeton ulvaceusBaker (Aponogetonaceae) is a commercially important ornamental aquatic plant species with traditional medicinal uses. Due to the low survival rate of seedlings, propagation by conventional means has been met with many difficulties. In this study, botanical aspects ofA. ulvaceuswere examined with regards to the morphology, anatomy and physiology of the plant and an efficient protocol for its in vitro propagation using immature tuber explants has been established. The existence of glandular trichomes on the leaves was discovered and the occurrence of circumnutation inA. ulvaceushas been demonstrated. Immature tuber segments with meristems were cultured on MS medium supplemented with various combinations (0, 1, 2, and 3 mg/L) of BAP and NAA for callus induction. The highest percentage of callus production (100 %) was obtained in two different treatments: 1 mg/L BAP and 3 mg/L NAA, and 2 mg/L BAP and 3 mg/L NAA. For shoot and root organogenesis, the combination of 1 mg/L BAP and 1 mg/L NAA was shown to be significant forA. ulvaceusregeneration when compared to control, which yields a mean shoot and root number of 22.50 and 29.50 respectively. The current protocol is the first reported successful establishment of in vitro clonal propagation ofA. ulvaceus.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science, School of Biosciences, The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Melissa Yit Yee
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Kam
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science, School of Biosciences, The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Li Chin
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Chai
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science, School of Biosciences, The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Chiew Foan
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Chin
keywords: Aponogeton ulvaceus; Callus induction; Circumnutation; Glandular trichomes; Immature tuber; Plant growth regulators