Protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) were induced
directly at high frequency from wounded surface of
Anthurium andreanum cv. CanCan shoot tip-ends, used as
explants. In order to obtain PLB directly, the influence of
different types and concentrations of cytokinins were
evaluated. Amid the cytokinins, N6
-(D2
-isopentenyl)-adenine
(2-iP) at a concentration of 15 lM was most effective
in inducing PLB whereby *98 (97.8) % of explants
induced PLB with an average of 120 PLBs per shoot tip
within 50 days of culture. Stereomicroscopic observation
meticulously revealed the sequential changes from initiation
to maturation of PLB gradually forming shoot apical
meristem, shoot primordia and leaf primordia. Mature PLBs
showed significant shoot proliferation (98.4 %) in media
containing 10 lM 6-furfurylaminopurine forming 17 shoots
per PLB within 30 days. The inclusion of activated charcoal
(AC) in media containing auxin had promotive effect on
rooting whereby 5 lM indole-3-butyric acid plus 500 lM
AC resulted in highest number and length of roots.
Successfully acclimatized plants, subjected to random
amplified polymorphic DNA assessment for genetic fidelity,
did not show any variation. Thus, this complete study
has successfully outlined a rapid, high frequency direct
induction of PLB of Anthurium from shoot tips inclusive of
shoot proliferation, rooting and acclimatization.