The Use of non-Autoclave Agar Media as for Energy Saving on Industrial Plant Propagation by Plant Tissue Culture Method

Abstract

According to high investment and high energy consumption on the autoclaving agar media for industrial plant propagation by plant tissue culture method, the research was done to use bleach that contains 6% of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) instead of using autoclaving as for energy saving. The first step of the research was done to find the appropriate concentration of bleach that can prevent microbial contamination in agar media. The bleach concentration of 0, 0.3, 0.5, and 1.0 ml/l were used. Then, the agar media with the appropriate concentration of bleach was used for the studying on the proper duration of resting before using for plant tissue culture. The resting periods were 0 (no resting), 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 days compared with the autoclaving agar media as for the growth of begonia. The results of the first step showed that after 4 weeks, the microbial contamination in agar media with bleach concentration at 0 and 0.3 ml/l can be found but at 0.5 and 1.0 ml/l can not be found. Therefore, the bleach concentration at 0.5 ml/l is an appropriate concentration that was used for the studying on the proper duration of resting period. The results found that the agar media with bleach at resting period 10 days gave the best growth of begonia. The average leaf number and shoot height were 15.00 ± 2.16 and 3.25 ± 0.28 cm. respectively. Whereas, the average leaf number and shoot height from the autoclaved agar media were 6.75 ± 1.50 and 2.25 ± 0.28 cm. respectively. The growth of begonia were highly significantly different. So, the used of bleach at concentration of 0.5 ml/l and keep resting agar media for 10 days can be used instead of the autoclaving agar media. As for the estimation of energy saving on non-autoclaving, the preperation of 200 liter of agar media can save the electric power about 250-300 KW that can be calculate as the expense about 1,125-1,350 baht. While the expense on the use of bleach is about 3.40-5.80 baht.