Improved in vitro propagation and direct acclimatization of Cryptocoryne wendtii in aquarium in the presence of aquarium fish Puntius tetrazona (Bleeker)

Abstract

<em>Cryptocoryne wendtii</em> is an important ornamental aquatic plant and has difficulties in conventional cultivation. In the present study, we propose an efficient <em>in vitro </em>propagation and acclimatization protocols for<em> C. wendtii</em>. The highest number of shoots was achieved on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 4.0 mg/L BA+1.0 mg/L IBA. In the second subculture, the number of shoots per explant increased from 7.2 to 51.8 in this medium. The shoot length per explant, the percentage of shoots rooted, and the number of roots per shoot were maximum in MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/L IBA. The <em>in vitro </em>rootless and rooted shoots were acclimatized in aquariums containing different substrates [Calcite (Ca), River Sand (RS), Zeolite (Ze) and Shell Grit (SG)] and tetrazona fish <em>Puntius tetrazona </em>(Bleeker). One third of the water in the aquarium was replaced with fresh tap water every two weeks and the water analyses were carried out before replacement of aquarium water every time. All shoots were successfully acclimatized for a period of 3 months. The RS and rooted shoot explants were found to be more effective than the other substrates, and rootless shoots in terms of all parameters that were tested.