Induction of multiple shoots in Zamioculcas zamiifolia Engl. under in vivo condition

Abstract

Zamioculcas zamiifolia Engl. is an ornamental potted foliage plant and a relatively new introduction to the world of interior plants. However, its slow rate of growth and lower rate of multiplication making it very expensive and propagules such as leaflets or leaflet sections or rachis give rise to only one shoot per propagule under in vivo conditions. In the present study that aimed at developing multiple shoots, two leaflets with rachis were used as propagule for in vivo experiments and treated with 1.0 - 3.0 g L-1 BA and kinetin, 0.1 - 0.3 g L-1 NAA, IBA and their combinations. The number of rhizomes formed per propagule was highest in 1.0 g L-1 kinetin + 0.2 g L-1 NAA at 90 days. More roots were formed when the propagule was treated with 1.0 g L-1 kinetin+0.1 g L-1 NAA at 120 days and on an average 2.2 multiple shoots had formed per propagule at180 days, when it was treated with 1.0 g L-1 kinetin + 0.2 g L-1NAA.