2025/12/29 by S. G. M. S. D. Senanayaka, R. M. C. S. Ratnayake, A. M. A. S. Attanayake · 1 voice
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Botanical Research and Applications #Flowering Plant Growth and Cultivation #Biological Control of Invasive Species
paper · doi:10.1080/14620316.2025.2602757
openalex publication_date 2025/12/29 · openalex created_date 2025/12/29 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/15
Rhipsalis baccifera is a horticulturally important ornamental cactus commonly found in urban households worldwide. This study aims to identify optimal conditions for both conventional vegetative propagation and in vitro tissue culture techniques to support large-scale commercial production. For vegetative propagation, six potting mixtures and three shade levels were tested over five months using stem cuttings as explants. A combination of 80% shade and unsieved mature plant-based, 6-month-aged compost medium resulted in the most successful rooting (100%) of stem cuttings. Subsequently, four compost-based media and three rooting hormones were evaluated, with ‘Clonex®’ and ‘Rapid Root’ producing significantly higher growth and a rooting percentage above 80% across all growth media types. In parallel, direct organogenesis was assessed through tissue culture using different concentrations of plant growth regulators. Rooting was observed at 53.3% and 66.6%, respectively, in treatments with 0.9 µM 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D): 2.21 µM 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.9 µM 2,4-D: 4.43 µM BAP. The findings contribute valuable insights for both vegetative and tissue culture-based propagation of R. baccifera, facilitating its commercial-scale multiplication.