Studies on Lisianthus Eustoma Grandiflorum Micropagation

Abstract

newlineLisianthus [Eustoma grandiflorum (Raf) Shinn.] is becoming one of the most highly ranked cut flowers in the international market. Propagation by seeds is complicated and difficult exercise due to slow germination and growth and seedling populations are disadvantageously variable with respect to flowering time, stem length and flower qualities. Vegetative propagation of selected cultivars might provide a useful alternative to seed propagation as the limited availability of cuttings from each stock resulting in apical dieback is a major setback. Therefore, micro propagation serves as potent tool to develop a method of rapid propagation of selected/ elite genotypes of lisianthus. newlineThe clonal multiplication of lisianthus especially through tissue culture might provide a useful alternative to seed propagation, thus resulting in to production of better quality planting stock. In vitro multiplication of elite plant genotypes offers immense opportunities to multiply large number of disease free, healthy and vigorous planting material in shortest possible time. In this review, the scattered information on clonal multiplication of Eustoma through micro propagation are being tried to put together. This could eventually be helpful in drawing the attention of the researchers and scientists to work on it, besides would be benefitted by utilizing the knowledge review in this paper so as to popularize it as a cut flower to make its place among top 10 cut flowers. newlineAlthough in vitro culture techniques offer reliable tools for ex situ conservation of the endangered plants, variability may occur as a consequence of tissue culture specific conditions. A comparative study of the histological traits of in vitro and in vivo grown Dianthus callizonus plants has revealed numerous anatomical differences, such as reduced deposition of epicuticular waxes, blocked and abnormally positioned stomatal apparatus, abnormally shaped cell epidermis, newlinealtered trichome morphology, hypertrophy of the mesophyll and stem cortex, hypolignificat