Foliar Regeneration in Anthurium andraeanum Hort. cv. Agnihothri

A tissue culture protocol for mass propagation of the cut-flower crop, Anthurium andraeanum cv. Agnihothri has been worked out. Callus development was observed along the cut margins and midrib regions of the leaf lamina on half-strength MS medium supplemented with BAP and 2,4-D. Relatively older explants from pale green leaves exhibited better responses and the calli were creamy, compact and slow growing. The best dedifferentiation response of 53 percent was recorded in BAP (1 mg L super(-1)) and 2,4-D (0.5 mg L super(-1)) in the dark. The highest shoot regeneration potential was observed when the calli were sub cultured on BAP enriched medium. The influence of PGR regime in the induction medium on shoot production was similar to that in subsequent multiplication passage. The in vitro plantlets were hardened in potting mixture containing 3:1 coarse river sand and charcoal under greenhouse conditions with 89 percent survival. The technique is a suitable tool for meeting the floricultural needs of growers through mass propagation of this cut-flower crop.