IN-VITRO CULTURE USED FOR WOODY FERN CYATHEA-AUSTRALIS (R BR) DOMIN VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION

Experiments have been carried out on vegetative multiplication of Cyat hea australis. Cultures were initiated from spores collected from spor angium of mature fronds. Spores were sterilized in 3% chloramine with Tween and sown on Anderson (1984) medium supplemented with 80.0 mg/l o f Ads and solidified by 8.0 g/l of agar. After three months of spore g ermination overgrowth of prothallia was observed. Multiplication of pr othallia was stimulated by MS (1962) medium supplemented with 0.25 mg/ l BAP, 0.50 mg/l IBA, 0.50 mg/l IAA, 1.00 mg/l GA(3), 40.00 mg/l Ads a nd sucrose 30.0 g/l. Small drops of water were placed on the basal par t of gametophyte in order to help ovary fertilization. After the next few weeks the first very fragile, small and green crosier emerged from the base of gametophyte. Perlite culture stimulated root formation an d plant hardening to soil conditions.