Standardization of micropropagation protocols for Echinodorus grisebachii: An aquascape plant

Abstract: A study was conducted at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani, on Echinodorus grisebachii, a common aquatic plant widely used in aquascaping. The study aimed to develop an effective micropropagation protocol for E. grisebachii. Eleven treatments were applied for surface sterilization, twenty-six media combinations were tested for the establishment and shoot induction, fourteen treatments were evaluated for root initiation, and six different hardening media were trialed. An effective protocol was successfully developed through these experiments. The stem node explant was successfully sterilized using mercuric chloride 0.05%. The shoot initiation was achieved within a week using MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg L?¹ BAP, and the best rooting was achieved in ½ MS medium containing 3.0 mg L?¹ IBA. Aqua soil was the best hardening media with the highest survival rates and enhanced shoot and leaf production. The developed micropropagation protocol has the potential for large-scale production and can help satisfy export quality and quantity.