Effect of Phytohormones on In-vitro Bud and Root Formation of the Water Hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes

Abstract

Water hyacinth is an aquatic plant, of which proliferation rate is extremely rapid as a weed, causing great economic, social and environmental damage. On the other hand, the water hyacinth also has potential economic value, because it is used as food for livestock, gas, fertilizer, environmental treatment, art crafts, decoration items, as well as herbal medicine. This research investigated the effects of concentrations of BA (Benzyl adenine) and NAA (Naphthylacetic acid) on in-vitro bud and root formation of Eichhornia crassipes [Mart.] Solms to create in-vitro sample source which is initially used in subsequent researches of water hyacinth. After 4 weeks of in-vitro culture, the results showed that the two-layer MS (Murashige Skoog) medium – the lower solid agar medium and the upper liquid medium – accompanied by aerobic culture conditions supplemented with 0.5 mg/L BA were suitable for bud proliferation. Next, these explants after destroying shoot apical meristem were transferred to MS medium supplemented with 0.75 mg/L BA suitable for bud development. The mature buds were transferred to MS medium supplemented with 0.25 mg/L NAA, suitable for rooting of water hyacinth and gave high survival rate (83.00%) when planted in the garden on hydroponic nutrient medium Howard of 600ppm.