Development of Sterilisation Procedures and in Vitro Studies of Nymphaea lotus
Water lilies (Nymphaea sp.) are one of the most valuable aquatic ornamental plants which have a bright potential to be a multimillion-dollar commodity in the floriculture trade. They could be exploited as cut flowers (Master, 1974), ornamental plants for water garden, urban landscape for aquascap...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English English |
| Published: |
2004
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/42/1/1000548956_t_FP_2004_47.pdf |
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| Summary: | Water lilies (Nymphaea sp.) are one of the most valuable aquatic ornamental
plants which have a bright potential to be a multimillion-dollar commodity in the
floriculture trade. They could be exploited as cut flowers (Master, 1974),
ornamental plants for water garden, urban landscape for aquascaping and restoration
projects (Kane and Philman, 1992) and sources for pharmaceutical and cosmetic
products (Perry, 1987).
Water lily family consists of approximately 50-60 species found in tropical
to cold temperate region (Halijah, 2000). Flowers of water lilies are available in
many colours including red, pink, yellow and white. Water lilies are not only
beautiful but they are also useful in creating a balanced environment in ponds or
lakes as well as improving the water quality. They function as surface vegetation in
controlling the amount of direct sunlight that penetrates the water surface, thus,
stabilising the water temperature particularly during dry season, and also control the
algal growth from over blooming which causes the green water problem (Dawes,
1989). In Putrajaya Wetland Garden in Malaysia, water lilies are planted in open
water as ornamental plants (Radiah, 2000).
Many years ago, Europeans, Asians and Africans consumed the seeds and
tubers of water lilies as food in time of emergency. Nymphaea alba at one time was
used by the French in the preparation of beer, while Irish and Scottish highlanders
used it as a source of dye for dyeing wool (Perry, 1971). During the Egyptian
civilization (approximately 4000 B.C), water lilies were used in religious
ceremonies (Perry, 1987).
Conventionally, water lilies are propagated vegetatively through tuber
production or from new plants sprouting from the underground rhizomatous stem.
However, such propagation methods are restricted due to the slow and limited
number of plants produced, diseases, large propagation space needed and an
extended period to produce saleable plants. These factors contribute to a high
production cost (Kelly and Fret, 1986) and often prevent an efficient and rapid
production of planting materials to meet the market demand (Kane, 1991). |
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