Environ Exp Biol (2016) 14: 75–81

In vitro seed germination and node culture of the nutraceutical plant Grewia tenax

Abstract

Grewia tenax is an important nutraceutical plant threatened due to excessive fruit collection and physiological dormancy of seeds. In vitro propagation is required for ex situ conservation of this neglected plant. Improving germination rate is vital for providing the uniform explant material required for propagation and in vitro studies. The aim of this study was to optimize cultivation conditions for in vitro seed germination and micropropagation of G. tenax. Full seed germination was achieved in all treatments. Tests in distilled water medium showed the least number of days for germination and highest seedling length. Full Murashige and Skoog medium produced the maximum number of nodes. Darkness promoted germination rate and seedling length, but decreased the number of nodes per seedling. Benzyladenine and kinetin slightly increased the number of nodes compared to the control. Each uninodal explant cultivated on Murashige and Skoog medium free of plant growth regulators developed into a plantlet within one week. Well-rooted plants were successfully established in a greenhouse with 95% survival rate. This plant growth regulator-free system can successfully overcome seed dormancy and provide a rapid-continuous supply of plant material of G. tenax.