In vitro culture from internodes of Melastoma malabathricum L. on Murashige and Skoog (1962) modified medium with thidiazuron and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid

Abstract A study investigating explant response from internodes of Melastoma malabathricum L. cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) modified medium with a combination of thidiazuron (TDZ) (0, 0.1, 1 and 2 mg/L) and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) (0, 0.1 and 1 mg/L) was conducted. The main objective of this study was to develop a protocol for M. malabathricum L. propagation using an in vitro technique. Results showed that explants could respond to all treatment media by forming calluses. Obtained calluses tended to be green in colour and to have a semi-compact texture. The optimal treatments for forming calluses were 0.1 mg/L TDZ, 1 mg/L TDZ, 0.1 mg/L NAA and 1 mg/L NAA and a combination of 0.1 mg/L TDZ and 0.1 mg/L NAA. The fast-growing callus was initiated upon treatments on MS without growth hormone (16.79 days after inoculation) and MS with 1 mg/L NAA (19.65 days after inoculation). Internode explants of M. malabathricum L. could also respond to the medium by forming calluses and roots on MS medium with 0.1 mg/L NAA and MS with 1 mg/L NAA. The optimal treatment for forming indirect roots was 0.1 mg/L NAA.