Objective   Formulation of culture media was optimized to facilitate the seed germination, tissue propagation, and various developmental stages of Arundina graminifolia.

  Method   An orthogonal experiment was conducted to optimize the media for aseptic germination of the seeds and development of the seedlings of A. graminifolia using 1/2 MS as the base. Application of growth regulators and additives in the solid medium formulation was evaluated in accordance to the seed germination, seedling growth, root development and transplanting efficiency.

  Result   The optimum media for various developmental stages of A. graminifolia were determined to include (1) 1/2 MS + 7 g agar·L⁻¹ + 30.0 g sucrose·L⁻¹ + 1 g activated carbon·L⁻¹ + 100 mL coconut milk·L⁻¹ + 1.0 mg NAA·L⁻¹ + 2.0 mg 6-BA·L⁻¹ + 0.5g Huabao No. 1·L⁻¹ to reach a seed germination rate of 83.79% . (2) 1/2 MS + 7 g agar·L⁻¹ + 3 0g sucrose·L⁻¹ + 1 g activated carbon·L⁻¹ + 1 mg IBA·L⁻¹ + 3 mg 6-BA·L⁻¹ + 0.5 mg NAA·L⁻¹ + 100 g mashed potato·L⁻¹ to achieve an average bud proliferation rate of 1.36. (3) 1/2 MS + 7 g agar·L⁻¹ + 30 g sucrose·L⁻¹ + 1 g activated carbon·L⁻¹ + 0.2 mg IBA·L⁻¹ + 2 mg 6-BA·L⁻¹ + 0.2-0.5 mg NAA·L⁻¹ + 100 g banana puree·L⁻¹ for an optimal root development. (4) Perlite:peat soil mixture at 1 ∶ 1 ratio to yield a seedling survival rate of 98% with desirable transplanting and acclimatization results.

  Conclusion   Coconut milk in culture medium was found to significantly benefit the seed germination. The individually formulated media for various growth stages of A. graminifolia seedlings would help ensure the success in preserving the wild germplasms.