In vitro conservation strategy for endemic and endangered Himalayan liverwort Stephensoniella brevipedunculata Kashyap (Marchantiophyta)

Abstract

During the present study an effort has been made to propagate (in-vitro) the endangered and endemic Himalayan liverwort Stephensoniella brevipedunculata Kashyap using different culture media under controlled Laboratory conditions. Axenic cultures of the taxon have been established using tubers as explants. Seven combinations of media with Full Strength Knop’s macronutrients; Half-strength Knop’s macronutrients; Half-strength Knop’s macronutrients + Vitamins; Halfstrength Knop’s macronutrients + 0.2 mg L-1 IBA + 0.1 mg L-1 BAP; Half-strength Knop’s macronutrients + 0.1 mg L-1 Kinetin + 0.1 mg L-1 2,4D; Half-strength Knop’s macronutrients + 0.1 mg L-1 IBA + 0.2 mg L-1 BAP and Hoagland no. 2 basal salt mixture were used for culture. The best growth was observed in the Hoagland no. 2 basal salt mixture medium, in which dichotomously branched young thalli were successfully formed. Subsequently healthy population of culture grown plants has been raised on soil in pots for the first time.