Over 100 cultured lilies transplanted in Shirui hill
Source: The Sangai Express
Ukhrul, April 11 2015 :
In a landmark achievement, ICAR scientists who initiated a plant tissue culture of Shirui Lily transplanted atleast 100 cultured lilies at the Shirui hill ranges, a home of Shirui Lily, reports Mungchan Zimik.
During a photo exhibition programme of Shirui Lily organised by ICAR Complex of NEH Region, Manipur Centre, Lamphelpat in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ukhrul and Shirui Village Authority at Shirui, the gatherers were informed that "In Vitro Regeneration Protocol, Bulb borer infestation, Effect of different growing condition and EX-Situ Conservation of Shirui Lily" were successfully carried out by scientists of ICAR, NEH region, Manipur Centre, Lamphelpat, Imphal.
The Shirui Lily tissue culture research work was initially started in 2012 by a team of scientists led by Dr Sahoo and M Premi Devi at ICAR Centre Manipur Region.
From a single bulb, around 500 saplings of Shirui Lily were successful produced.
Out of the 500 saplings, 100 plantlets were transplanted at the mountain peak yesterday, said Dr MR Sahoo.
Their research was not only to focus on saving the endangered Shirui Lily but to produce ample amount of saplings.
Shirui Lily is found 3000 metres above sea level in Shirui hill.
However, ICAR scientists said that the flower might thrive in other places if the soil is mixed with plant nutrients like vermiculite, vermicompost etc.
100 plantlets were transplanted on a trial basis to observe its growth and results.
Apart from tissue culture of Shirui lily, adopting a technique of developing its seeds into a synthetic seed is also underway so that the seeds can be preserved for a longer period of time.
Scientists of ICAR, NEH Region, Manipur Centre, have been monitoring the growth of the plants in laboratory.