Journal of Applied Horticulture. 2004: 6(2): 30-34

A study on factors affecting propagation of shade plant-Syngonium podophyllum

Hassanein, A M

Genetics Laboratory, Faculty of Science, South Valley University, 82524 Sohag, Egypt.

Although all nodal segments of Syngonium podophyllum irrespective of their age and different concentrations of benzylaminopurine [benzyladenine] (BAP) showed axillary shoot growth, young nodes cultured on MS medium supplemented with 5 micro M BAP gave the best results. Elongated shoots were rooted on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 5 micro M IBA. Increase of the frequency of axillary bud sprouting and decrease in the frequency of root formation with the increase of light intensity were recorded, which was accompanied with increase of relative peroxidase activity. Instead of peat, soil consisted of sawdust, sand and clay (1:1:1) was a suitable combination producing valuable plant survival. Subjecting the plants growing in the soil to full sunlight for one day enhanced the peroxidase activity and aggressive chlorophyll degradation, thereby leading to leaf bleaching especially at relatively high temperature (40 degrees C) or low moisture content of the soil (50% field capacity). Plants grown under illumination of 100 micro mol m-2 s-1 were better than those grown at 40 micro mol m-2 s-1, where they showed higher leaf area, leaf fresh weight, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents. This work indicated that in vitro and traditional propagation of S. podophyllum were strongly affected by light intensity.