Abstract

DOES THE SILVER NITRATE INFLUENCE THE VARIOUS ENERGY SOURCES IN MICROPROPAGATION OF SOLANUM VIARUM DUNAL – AN IMPORTANT ANTI CANCER MEDICINAL PLANT?

Sujana Papani* and C. V. Naidu

ABSTRACT

Solanum viarum, a native species of Argentina, commonly known as tropical soda apple, due to unrestricted exploitation for its bio active medicinal compounds is becoming as one among the threatened and endangered species in India. Though the in vitro micropropagation is the best promising alternative for conservation, energy sources used and excess production of ethylene in the media are the major constrains. To overcome the above said situation for the first time we had made an attempt study the effect of AgNO3, a natural inhibitor of Ethylene on various energy sources like Glucose, Sucrose, Fructose and Maltose (1-6%). Incorporation of AgNO3 (0.4mg/L) in to the culture medium of various levels of different energy sources of Solanum viarum has significantly influenced regeneration frequency, shoot proliferation and also rooting at different Auxin concentrations. There is an astonishing noticeable three folds increase caused by presence of silver nitrate in proliferation of shoots and roots observed after careful study of statically analysed data. Though the explants responded appreciably maximum at 4% Glucose with maximum mean number of shoots (42.8 ± 0.21) and 85% of regeneration frequency, their longevity over sub culturing was observed to be not promising when compare to 3% Sucrose (36 ± 0.37 Mmns and 100% Rf) which maintained the vigor over sub culturing on the same media in the presence of silver nitrate and also the maximum mean shoot length 10.9 ± 0.11cm was observed at these same concentration. 1 mg/L and 2mg/L IAA was found to be best concentrations for rooting With maximum mean number of roots (40.2 ± 0.13) and maximum mean root length (11.28 ± 0.14) respectively.

Keywords: Carbohydrates, Silver nitrate, Shoot proliferation Ethylene inhibitor, regeneration frequency.