Low Cost Micropropagation of Local Varieties of Taro (Colocasia esculenta spp.)
Alex Ngetich *
Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University, P.O.Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Steven Runo
Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University, P.O.Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Omwoyo Ombori
Department of Plant Sciences, Kenyatta University, P.O.Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Michael Ngugi
Department of Agriculture, Meru University College of Sciences and Technology, P.O.Box 972- 60200, Meru, Kenya
Fanuel Kawaka
Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, Technical University of Mombasa, P.O.Box 90420, 80100, Mombasa, Kenya
Arusei Perpetua
Department of Botany, Moi University, P.O.Box 3900, 30100, Edoret, Kenya
Gitonga Nkanata
Department of Agriculture, Meru University College of Sciences and Technology, P.O.Box 972- 60200, Meru, Kenya
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: This study was conducted to evaluate low cost protocol for the micropropagation of three varieties of taro (Dasheen, Eddoe and wild) from eastern Kenya.
Study Design: The plants were grown in polythene bags arranged in a completely randomized block design (CRBD) replicated nine times.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of plant sciences Kenyatta University in plant and tissue culture laboratory, between June 2010 and December 2011.
Methodology: The three media types tested were Omex foliar feed (LCM1), Stanes micronutrients (LCM2) and micro food (LCM3) as substitute for Murashige and Skoog (MS) media.
Results: The results showed significant differences (p˂0.05) in the shoot generation for Eddoe and wild varieties in LCM1 and LCM2 respectively compared to LCM3 and MS. Plants grown in MS media and LCM3 had the longest height compared to LCM1 and LCM2. Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) and Citishooter did not show any significant differences on the number of roots. All the regenerated plants in this study were similar in morphology and vigour. Media cost was reduced by 94.7% (LCM1) and 96% for both LCM2 and LCM3.
Conclusion: This study indicates the potential of low cost media as a substitute for conventional micro propagation.
Keywords: Citishooter, conventional, micronutrients, micro propagation