Development of high frequency multiple shoots in the yellow cactus, Selenicereus megalanthus

Abstract: An efficient micropropagation system via multiple shoot induction directly from seedlings of S. megalanthus was developed. Seeds were germinated on Murashigae and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with 6-Benzyl amino purine (BAP). The shoot tips of the germinating seedlings started callusing when left on the same medium. After two weeks, the entire shoot apex portion of epicotyl gave rise to a friable callus, portions of which started becoming green and morphogenetic. The callus gave rise to multiple shoots. The highest number of shoots i.e. 18.6 was produced on MS medium supplemented with 1.5 mgL"¹ BAP. The shoots, 3-4 cm in length, when transferred to MS basal medium supplemented with 1.0 mgL^-1 IBA, rooted within one week.