An efficient micropropagation protocol was established for Cryptocoryne wendtii and Cryptocoryne becketti using shoot tips explants. Multiple shoots were induced from shoot tip explants of both species cultured on agar-gelled as well as liquid MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L BA and 0.2 mg/L IBA (proliferation medium). The multiple shoots of both the species formed on agar-gelled as well as liquid medium were vigorously growing with well-developed roots and leaves after 4 weeks of culture. Highest number of multiple shoots was obtained from shoot tip explants of both the species cultured in liquid proliferation medium after 4 weeks of culture. The shoot tip explants of C. wendtii and C. becketti, that were cultured in liquid proliferation medium (2 weeks) followed by culturing on agar-gelled proliferation medium (2 weeks) also produced the multiple shoots. Shoot tips cultured on agar-gelled medium produced the least number of multiple shoots after 4 weeks of culture. Histological study did not show any abnormalities in the leaves of in vitro plantlets of both the species, cultured in agar-gelled and liquid proliferation medium. The leaves of the in vitro plantlets formed normal mesophyll cells and vascular bundles. More than 95% of the acclimatized plantlets grew vigorously without any morphological abnormalities.

The influence of cytokinin, N6-benzyladenine, on shoot proliferation of five Alocasia species (A. amazonica, A. cuprea, A. robusta, A. longiloba and A. chaii) was investigated. In vitro propagation of these species was established using shoot tip explants. Murashige & Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations of BA (N6-benzyladenine) ranging from 0, 2, 5, 10 mg/L was then used to establish the optimum medium for shoot proliferation for all the species. MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/L BA was optimum for the shoot proliferation. All the tested species showed varying results for shoot number and shoot height. A comparison between agar-gelled medium and shake flask system using liquid medium was carried out to evaluate the shoot growth and proliferation for all the tested species. For A. amazonica, A. cuprea, A. robusta and A. longiloba, shake flask system using liquid medium of the same constituents stimulated more shoot proliferation as compared to agar-gelled medium. However, for A. chaii there was no significant difference. All the in vitro plantlets with well developed roots and leaves were successfully acclimatized with more than 90% survival rate.

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