Micropropagation of Liriope muscari via leaf explant

Abstract

Young leaves of Liriope muscari provide an ample source of explants for in vitro propagation in tropical countries where flowering is scarce. Leaves were induced to form calli on a solid medium containing Murashige and Skoog (MS) salts and vitamins, 3% sucrose, 0.7% agar, 1 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxy- acetic acid (2, 4-D) and 1 mg/L 6-furfurylaminopurine (kinetin). Only the proximal segments of the leaves produced calli. These calli were induced to produce multiple plantlets on MS medium, 3% sucrose, 0.7% agar, and 10 mg/L N⁶ (2-isopentenyl) adenine (2 ip). It is possible to use leaf explants for in vitro mass production of Liriope. However, in variegated varieties, only green or white plants were produced, because of a chimera in the original tissue.