In vitro mass propagation of Dendrocalamus asper (Giant bamboo) through direct organogenesis

Abstract Dendrocalamus asper (giant bamboo) is a clumping type bamboo belonging to the family Poaceae. With its economic and environmental value, demand for this species has increased tremendously. Conventional propagation methods have limitations due to low seed viability and unavailability of healthy clumps. Therefore, an in vitro mass propagation protocol was developed to provide healthy plants for large scale plantations. Nodal segments were used for shoot initiation and the best medium for shoot induction, best medium for multiple shoot induction, effect of shoot cluster size and effect of physical state of the medium on multiple shoot induction were determined. Elongated shoots were transferred into rooting medium and best medium for root induction and effect of cluster size on rooting were determined. Well-developed plantlets were transferred to coir pellets and after four weeks transferred into different potting mixtures. According to the results, highest mean number of shoots per node (16.87 ± 0.52), mean shoot length (4.12 ± 0.27 cm) and mean number of leaves per shoot (4.80 ± 0.33) were observed in MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/L BAP. MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/L BAP was the best for multiple shoot induction, shoot clusters with 3 shoots was the best cluster size and liquid medium had better effect on shoot multiplication. Half strength MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/L IBA was the best for in vitro root induction with highest mean number of roots (7.15 ± 0.77) and mean root length (10.79 ± 1.11cm). Shoot clusters with 3 shoots was the best cluster size for root induction. Sand: compost: coir dust (1:1:1) mixture was the best potting mixture giving 100% survival. These findings provide a reliable micropropagation protocol for D. asper, which holds great promise for meeting the growing demand for bamboo resources and promoting sustainable bamboo cultivation.