Evaluation of Gelling Agent Alternatives during in Vitro Multiplication of Yucca elephantipes L.

Abstract

In vitro hardening materials like Agar and Phytagel are increasing in price, therefore cheaper gelling agents were needed. In this study, potato starch (Solanum tuberosum) and corn starch (Zea mays L.) at different rates (40, 50, 60, and 70 g/l) each alone or combined with agar at 2 or 4 g/l as well as 8 g agar/l as control were tested during in vitro multiplication of yucca (Yucca elephantipes L.). However, the first experiment, shoot proliferation percentage was 100% with all treatments (potato starch + agar) under study, media status was solid with any combination between potato and agar except that of potato alone was semi solid status. On the other hand, MS medium supplemented with potato alone at 70 g/l produced the most leaves per shoot and shoot length, while MS medium supplemented with agar at 4 g/l + potato at 40 g/l produced the greatest shoots per explant, with significant differences from the other treatments. For the second experiment, shoot proliferation percentage was 100% as well as media status was solid with all treatments (corn starch + agar) under study. MS medium supplemented with corn alone at 70 g/l provided the highest leaf number per shoot and shoot length, while MS medium supplemented with agar at 2 g/l + corn at 40 g/l produced the most shoots per explant with significant differences from the other treatments. Consequently, the present work suggests a low-cost alternative gelling agent that will reduce plant micro propagation production costs.