SHOOTS MULTIPLICATION IN ENDEMIC AQUATIC PLANTS Cryptocoryne elliptica USING THIDIAZURON (TDZ)

The effect of thidiazuron (TDZ) was investigated on in vitro proliferation from shoot tips explants of Cryptocoryne elliptica an endangered endemic aquatic plants. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium and Linsmaier and Skoog (LS) medium containing TDZ (0.2 - 1.0 g/ml) were tested and effectively inducing shoot buds and inflorescences. The highest mean number (7.33 ± 3.077) of shoots per explant was achieved from shoot tips cultured on MS medium supplemented with 0.8 g/ml TDZ for 8 weeks. Inflorescences were shown on all explants cultured on medium supplemented with TDZ except phytohormone free medium.