Evaluation of aeroponics for clonal propagation of Caralluma edulis, Leptadenia reticulata and Tylophora indica – three threatened medicinal Asclepiads

Abstract

The present study explores the potential of aeroponic system for clonal propagation of Caralluma edulis (Paimpa) a rare, threatened and endemic edible species, Leptadenia reticulata (Jeewanti), a threatened liana used as promoter of health and Tylophora indica (Burm.f.) Merill, a valuable medicinal climber. Experiments were conducted to asses the effect of exogenous auxin (naphthalene acetic acid, indole-3-butyric acid, indole-3-acetic acid) and auxin concentrations (0.0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5gl IBA for 5 min. Presence of at least two leaves on the nodal cuttings of L. reticulata and T. indica was found to be a prerequisite for root induction. In all the species, the number of adventitious roots per cutting and the percentage of cuttings rooted aeroponically were significantly higher than the soil grown stem cuttings. Shoot growth measured in terms of shoot length was significantly higher in cuttings rooted aeroponically as compared to the cuttings rooted under soil conditions. All the plants sprouted and rooted aeroponically survived on transfer to soil. This is the first report of clonal propagation in an aeroponic system for these plants. This study suggests aeroponics as an economic method for rapid root induction and clonal propagation of these three endangered and medicinally important plants which require focused efforts on conservation and sustainable utilization.

Growth Responses and Root Characteristics of Lettuce Grown in Aeroponics, Hydroponics, and Substrate Culture

“…Good aeration of the root environment is the most important advantage of aeroponics. Aeroponics significantly improved adventitious root formation in rapid root induction and clonal propagation of three endangered and medicinally important plants over soil grown stem cuttings [18]. Aeroponics showed higher yield and better size distribution in potato minituber production, but growth was influenced by such factors as the genotype, the availability of nutrients, the stretching of the cycle, and the culture density [8].…”

“…Essential oil production of herbs like valerian (Valeriana officinalis) grown using aeroponics has also been reported [17]. Aeroponics has also been reported as an economic method for rapid root induction and clonal propagation of three endangered and medicinally important plants [18]. Aeroponics was used to produce tree saplings (Acacia mangium) with arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) fungi inoculation [19].…”

Growth Response and Root Characteristics of Lettuce Grown in Aeroponics, Hydroponics and Substrate Culture

“…The advantage of root growth in aeroponics due to highly aerated root environment. Aeroponics significantly improved the adventitious roots formation in rapid root induction and clonal propagation of three endangered and medicinally important plants than the soil grown stem cuttings [21] . Aeroponics showed higher yield and better size distribution in potato minituber production, but the growth can be influenced by such factors as the variety, the availability of nutrients, the stretching of the cycle and the culture density [11] .…”

“…Essential oil production of herbs like valerian (Valeriana officinalis) growing in aeroponics was also reported [20] . It is also reported as an economic method for rapid root induction and clonal propagation of three endangered and medicinally important plants [21] . Aeroponic was proved had the potential to produce tree saplings (Acacia mangium) inoculated with AM fungi [22] .…”

Aeroponics for propagation of horticultural plants: an approach for vertical farming

“…25 A new compound namely 2,3-Dihydrowithaferin A-3β-O-sulfate (prodrug of withaferin A) was reported in Withania somnifera grown aeroponically. 26 Mehandru et al 27 reported the clonal propagation of three threatened medicinal asclepiads i.e. Caralluma edulis, Leptadenia reticulata and Tylophora indica using aeroponic culture.…”