Axenic Culture of Philonotis Falcata (Hook.) Mitt., an Alternative to Reduce the Impact of Large-Scale Collection From Native Habitat

Abstract

Axenic culture of Philonotis falcata, collected from Idukki district of Kerala was established. Spores were surface sterilized in sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC) and inoculated into half strength Hoagland’s Basal media of pH 6.0. The inoculated tubes were incubated at 25°C at 18h light, 6h dark cycle for 30 days. The protonema developed were transferred to 30 ml fresh half strength media in conical flasks with different pH and kinetin concentrations and incubated for 45 days. Gametophyte proliferation, growth pattern and photosynthetic pigment content were estimated. Among the various media composition, pH5.0 with 0.5 mg/L kinetin supported maximum bud proliferation and growth. Pigment production was higher at pH 6.0, 0.5 mg/L kinetin. There seem to have interaction between pH and kinetin in growth, biomass production and pigment production. TLC plate analysis revealed similar banding pattern between wild and in vitro plant metabolites, indicating the possibility of using axenic plants in extraction of bioactive compounds thereby reducing the impact of collection from native habitat