Development of modified plant tissue culture media using alternate sources of nitrogen and vitamins for micropropagation.

Vegetative bud explants from Musa paradisiaca William cv. silk, Gardenia jasminoides Ellis and
Menthc piperita were cultured on nutrient media using an alternate nitrogen source which is a composite
fertilizer "Suphala". A cyanobacterium, Spirulina platensis which is a source of vitamins, was also
incorporated at various levels and the effects of these were studied by monitoring the shoot number, shoot
length and number of leaves over a period of 30 days. Medium M2 produced a maximum of 5 shoots per
explant in case of Gardenia whereas SM2 produced the similar number in case of Musa. Spirulina
incorporated in half-strength MS media produced an average of 3 shoots each in Musa and Mentha. The
results show that incorporation of these alternative nitrogen and vitamin sources in the media could be
effective in cost minimization for micropropagation of these plants.