Efficient clonal propagation method for <i>Decalepis hamiltonii, </i>an endangered shrub, under the influence of phloroglucinol

Abstract

A highly efficient two stage protocol was developed for induction of multiple shoots from single node <i>in vitro </i>shoot tip explants of <i>Decalepis hamiltonii. </i>It was found that phloroglucinol (PG) had synergistic effect on shoot multiplication when added with N⁶-benzyladenine and gibberellic acid. This protocol uses PG for both multiple shoot induction from nodal ex-plants, elongation of primary shoots and initiation of adventitious shoot formation from primary shoots, which was more in presence of triacontanol (TRIA). Maximum number of shoots per culture was observed on the medium containing N⁶

-benzyladenine (1.1μ<i>M ; </i>BA), GA₃ (5 .8 μ<i>M) </i>and PG (800 μ<i>M ). </i>Sub-culturing of the shoots onto MS medium containing optimum concentration of BA (5.6 μ<i>M </i>), PG (200 μ<i>M</i>) and TRIA (0.011μ<i>M) </i>produced elongated shoots along with secondary shoot formation. The long shoots were rooted on α-naphthalene acetic acid (5.38 μ<i>M; </i>NAA) and PG (400 μ<i>M</i>)<i> </i>containing medium. The rooted plantlets were hardened and their field survival rate was 80 -90%.