In vitro clonal propagation of Coscinium fenestratum (Gertn.) Colebr. (Weniwel) through nodal explants

An in vitro clonal propagation protocol for Coscinium  fenestratum was developed using shoot explants detached from  1 − 2 year old vines maintained under plant house conditions, by  successfully surface sterilising with 0.2 % solution of mercuric  chloride for 30 minutes followed by two successive washings  with sterilised distilled water. McCowns woody plant medium (WPM) incorporated with 1.0 mgL-1 polyvinylpyrrolidone to minimise browning, was the best medium for establishment of nodal cuttings.  Mature double nodal cuttings resulted in the highest shoot  proliferation rate (3.90 shoots/explant) when cultured on WPM  medium supplemented with 2.0 mgL-1 6-benzylaminopurine,  1.0 mgL-1 thidiazuron and 0.4 mgL-1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic  acid. Shoots were separated and transferred to WPM medium devoid of plant growth regulators for regeneration into plantlets. The plantlets were successfully acclimatised on coir dust: sand (1:1) potting media with over 60 % survival rate. The results proved that the protocol developed is effective for clonal propagation of C. fenestratum.