In vitro propagation of wild yams, Dioscorea oppositifolia (Linn) and Dioscorea pentaphylla (Linn)

In vitro propagation of two wild yams, Dioscorea oppositifolia and Dioscorea pentaphylla, is reported. Multiple shoots were initiated from nodal explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 8.8 µM 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.3% (w/v) activated charcoal. Root induction was also achieved simultaneously from the base of the shoots in the same medium. Individual shoots with a minimum of one node were excised and rooted in vitro on MS medium with 2.67 µM α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) or ex vitro rooted on by treatment with 49 µM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) for 30 min. Regenerants acclimatized in soil-rite showed vigorous shoot growth (within 2 weeks) and after 5 - 6 months were suitable for planting. Plantlets also developed tubers on MS medium with 8.8 µM 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP)