Effect of light on seed germination and growth of Curculigo latifolia in in vitro condition

Curculigo latifolia (Lemba or Marasi) is a member of the Hypoxidaceae family. It is a stemless perennial herb that is widely distributed in forests in Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. It produces fruits that contain unique sweet proteins, namely curculin and neoculin, which hold promise as natural sweeteners. However, the seeds have a thick seed coat and are very difficult to germinate. Therefore, propagation in vitro is a good alternative. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of light on in vitro germination. After external disinfection, the seed was grown on hormone-free MS medium supplemented with 3% (w/v) sucrose and 6 g L^-1 agar, and illuminated with red, blue and white LED lights, and fluorescent light at a 16 h-light/8 h-dark photoperiod. The cultures were incubated for 4 weeks until germination and 12 weeks after germination at a temperature of 25±2°C. The seeds of C. latifolia were found to be photoblastic. They germinated under light condition. Under blue and white LED light, seedling growth was enhanced compared to other light treatments. Light wavelength also had a significant effect on chlorophyll content.