Silicon Nanoparticles Moderated Morphometric Deficiencies by Improving Micro-Morpho-Structural Traits in Thunbergia erecta (Benth.) T. Anderson

Thunbergia erecta (Benth.) T. Anderson (Acanthaceae) is an ornamental shrub. Viable seeds are not produced due to genetic incompatibility constraining propagation. An in vitro culture method is developed for the production of plants for the species. Surface-sterilized explants exhibited bud breaking on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium + 2.0 mg L −1 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). Multiple shoots (6.0 shoots/node, each measuring 3.6 cm average length) differentiated in 4 weeks of culture. Maximum (7.2 shoots/explants; each with 4.0 cm length) amplification occurred on MS medium + 1.0 mg L −1 BAP and 0.25 mg L −1 indole-3 acetic acid (IAA). Microscopic studies of foliage/leaves revealed abnormalities in stomata, trichomes, and rudimentary tissue systems on this medium. The incorporation of 2.0 mg L −1 Silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) in the culture medium doubled the rate of shoot amplification and allowed the development of promoted leaves with well-differentiated tissue systems and functional stomatal complexes. About 98.0% of shoots produce on SiNPs-supplemented medium rooted (7.0 roots per shoot each with 4.9 cm average length) with multiple lateral roots when pulse treated with α-Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and transferred to soilrite® substrate in the greenhouse. The in vitro-produced plants were hardened and acclimatized on a substrate mixture of soilrite® and garden soil (1:1 w/w). We suggest the use of Silicon nanoparticles in the culture medium for rapid clonal propagation. Graphical Abstract