In vitro Propagation of Ferns (Asplenium nidus) via Spores Culture

As an alternative to seed propagation, an efficient micropropgation of Asplenium nidus and subsequent rooting were developed as an option for in vitro conversation purpose. Spores were used as an explant. Different growth hormones were used to study the response of fern to the different stages of propagation in vitro, consequently, to determine the best hormone concentration that give up best initiation and proliferation for prothalli, differentiation and rooting. Results show that all studied treatments increased the mean of pothalli length, width and height and the highest values (2.64 cm, 2.44 cm and 2.81 cm for prothalli length, width and height respectively) were observed when MS medium were supplemented with 3.0 mg/L KIN (kinetin) + 0.1 mg/L NAA (naphthalene acetic acid), meanwhile, the lowest values (0.84 cm, 0.59 am and 0.96 cm for prothalli length, width and height respectively) were observed in control. A maximum of 5.28 shoot per microshoot were obtained on Murashige and Skoog agar medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/L 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP) and 0.1 mg/L of IBA (indole-3-butyric-acid). The highest leaves number (4.56) and stem height (5.50 cm) were observed when BAP and IBA were added respectively at 2.0 mg/L and 0.3 mg/L. Maximum root number (8.91 root/ex-plant) was obtained from media contained 1.0 mg/L naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Meanwhile, maximum roots length (6.23 cm) and leaves number (5.39) were observed when NAA was added at 0.5 mg/L. In vitro propagation of fern can be applied to produce those species of ferns that are hard to propagate conventionally for the benefit of the ornamental industry.