Abstract

Sethebe D.O, Titus Melinda and Bongani Laituri

The ability of Ceropegia spiralis Wight and Ceropegia pusilla Wight and Arn. to form microtubers invitro was studied, to conserve these endemic and endangered species. Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium supplemented with various concentrations of cytokinins and auxins supported induction of two types of microtubers, that is, basal and aerial tubers. The nodal explants of C. spiralis best tuberized on MS medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) 13.32 µM + Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) 1.34 to 2.68 µM. The aerial tubers were observed on Indole-3-Butyric Acid (IBA) 49.2 µM + 6 % sucrose and Indol-3-Acetic Acid (IAA) 11.54 µM + 3% sucrose augmented ½ MS media. In another case, single roots were tuberized on ½ MS medium supplemented with IAA 11.54 µM + 3% sucrose in C. spiralis. Whereas, in C. pusilla, the medium containing BAP 13.32µM + 2, 4-D 0.11 µ M + 3% sucrose played major role in the induction of basal tubers. Strength of the medium, plant growth regulators (PGRs) concentration and additives played an effective role in the formation of microtubers. If these valuable ornamental and medicinal plants were conserved, we may add another flower to the bouquet and a new drug as well.