Studies on Micropropagation of Begonia Rex Putz Plants

Abstract

This study was intended to find out the protocol easily for in vitro propagation of Begonia rex Putz. due to considered as taking a step toward meeting the increased demand for economically important ornamentals. This study was carried out in the laboratory of Tissue Culture, Zohria Botanical Garden, Cairo, Horticulture Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture. The
experiments were carried out through 2022 years. In this respect, shoot tips of the plant were effectively surface sterilized using mixture of 1.5 % sodium hypochlorite and 1.0 g/l mercuric chloride. Medium containing 3.0 mg/l IBA was better NAA for shoot length and number of leaves during establishment stage. For further multiplication, medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l Kin formed the highest shoot length, number of leaves and number of shoots. Thus, half-strength of MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l IBA gave the highest number of roots and root length. Nevertheless, the best survival percentage of plantlets at acclimatization stage (90 %) was observed when plantlets cultured in a mixture of peatmoss and Sand at 3/1(v/v).