EFFECTS OF SEMI-SOLID AND LIQUID MEDIA ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SMILAX MYOSOTIFLORA PLANTLETS

This study aims to establish an efficient tissue culture protocol for Smilax myosotiflora (ubi jaga) by comparing the effects of semi-solid and liquid (temporary immersion system, TIS) media on shoot multiplication, root induction, and acclimatisation. Semi-solid and liquid media were tested for complete plantlet regeneration. In semi-solid media, 2.0 mg/L BAP induced 67% shoot multiplication with an average of one shoot per explant. In liquid media, over 80% of shoots multiplied, averaging 3.5 shoots per explant at the same BAP concentration. For root induction, half-strength MS semi-solid media with 0.5 mg/L IBA produced 60% rooting, while liquid media yielded only 12% under identical conditions. Acclimatisation in Jiffy 7® showed shoots from liquid media had over 90% survival compared to 52% from semi-solid after 3 weeks. Chemical analysis of leaf extracts from in vitro and one-year-old ex vitro plants detected only low levels of possible caffeic acid derivatives. This is the first optimised in vitro protocol for S. myosotiflora using TIS, offering strong potential for large-scale commercial propagation and serving as a valuable resource for future germplasm conservation initiatives. Overall, the tissue culture protocol used for S. myosotiflora has been successfully established.