Abstract

In this study the effects of plant growth regulator and carbon sources on the root formation and ex vitro transplantation of Dioscorea alata were investigated. It was found that plantlets treated with sucrose 4% and Indole-3-butyric acid (0.3 mg./l.) develop the highest nodal numbers while their leaf number, root number, plant height, root length and fresh weight of whole plant were not different from those of control group. Moreover, adding of IBA and activated charcoal to culture medium during rooting step did not affect the survival rate of D. alata plantlets after 4 weeks of ex vitro transplantation when compared to control group. Obviously, regardless of culture treatment, the micropropagated plantlets survived 100%, as well as their growth, they showed no significant difference.