Glen Dale N. Fantonalgo, Christine Lynn I. Marcelino (February 2007)
Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
ABSTRACT
Mangrove deforestation due to economic exploitation and land development threatens its long-acknowledged role in ecological stability. Recent findings on its usefulness as a biochemical resource, however, may encourage further exploitation. Since natural regeneration process cannot catch up with the increasing denudation of mangrove areas, a more efficient method of propagation is needed.
The first phase of the study aimed to culture Ceriops decandra, Bruguiera parviflora and Bruguiera sexangula using shoot tip culture, adventitious shoot culture and callus culture of leaves and propagules on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium, Shoot tips, leaves and propagules were used as sources of explants. After two months, there was no proliferation of explants in all tissue culture methods used.
The second phase of the study aimed to induce callus formation in the anthers, shoot tips and propagules of Ceriops decandra, Bruguiera parviflora and Bruguiera sexangula using MS medium with 0.3 mg/L. 6-benzylaminopurine. After 30 days, the calli formed were described in terms of percent callus induction, type, amount, color and size. Anther explants from Ceriops decandra, propagule explants of Bruguiera parviflora and shoot tip explants from Bruguiera sexangula produced calli. All the calli were of intermediate type and small proliferation at cut ends. Most were green to yellowish green in color.
Ceriops decandra, Bruguiera parviflora and Bruguiera sexangula cannot be cultured on MS basal medium. However, calli can be induced on MS medium with 0.3 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine. Callus formation indicates the potential of these mangrove species to be tissue cultured.