An efficient protocol for medium-term conservation of the aerial yam, Dioscorea bulbifera is hereby reported. Meristem and nodal segments from five-week old plants cultured in half strength MS or B5 medium containing 12 per cent sucrose and 0.5 mg l-1 abscisic acid [ABA] were successfully stored for 15 months at 25± 2oC without loss of morphogenetic capacity. Subculturing of the explants in full strength MS containing low levels of benzyl adenine (2.0-5.0 mg l-1) and reduced sucrose concentration [2.0 per cent ] resulted in vigorous shoot growth after 6 weeks in culture, whereas incorporating ABA (0.2-0.5mg l-1) in the second passage culture medium resulted in the depression of shoot growth and shortening of the time to tuberization on transfer to the field after hardening. Bio-Research Vol.1(1) 2003: 43-52
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