Rapid propagation of Caladium bicolor was achieved in vitro. Excellent results for shoot induction from apical meristem were obtained when it was cultured on MS medium containing 1mg L-1 BAP within 8 days of inoculation. For shoot multiplication maximum number of shoots was obtained when 0.25 mg L-1 NAA was added to shoot induction medium i.e., MS medium supplemented with 1 mg L-1 BAP + 0.25 mg L-1 NAA. Cent percent rooting was achieved by transferring an individual microshoot to modified MS medium containing combination of 2 mg L-1 IBA + 1 mg L-1 NAA. Plantlets were successfully transferred to greenhouse in sterilized sand and nourished with Hoagland's solution. After acclimatization these plants were shifted to natural conditions in pots containing growth mixture (sand + clay + peat at 1:1:1 ratio), where 100% survival was observed. We concluded that technique of micropropagation can successfully be used for large-scale production of premium quality planting material and almost 2500 plants of Caladium could be generated from single apical meristem in a 12 weeks period.

Thanks a lot

Have you tried mmodified MS?

As the plant is potasium and phosforous lover, do you think increasing these two macro nutrients will affect the rate of multiplication?