In vitro multiplication of the semi-arid forest tree, Balanites aegyptiaca (l.) Del.

Abstract

Procedures were developed for micropropagation of Balanites aegyptiaca using axillary bud explants obtained from mature trees. Cultures were established in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2.5 mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.1 mg/l naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). The effects of kinetin on shoot growth and proliferation in vitro was also investigated. Results show that shoot multiplication required 2.5 mg/l of BAP. Shoot length was significantly affected by the presence of BAP or 6-furfurylaminopurine (Kin). Rooting of shoots in vitro was achieved on MS medium containing 20 mg/l of the auxin, indolebutyric acid (IBA). Rooted shoots acclimated and were successfully transferred into soil, with 48% of the plantlets surviving.

IN VITRO PROPAGATION OF Balanites aegyptiaca (L) DEL., AN ENDANGERED MEDICINAL PLANT.

“…Similar results have been reported by other workers, ( Bajaj,1986 ;Chalupa, 2002 ;Sudhersan andHussain, 2003 andGomes et al, 2003) using explants derived from woody plants .MS medium without any growth regulators enhanced shoot growth and elongation, while medium with BA enhanced axillary branching explants furthering multiple shoot development of nodes. This result agrees with the finding of Mansour et al, (2003)…”

“…According to El Nour et al, (1991), the IBA auxin did not improve rooting significantly which is contrary to our results. From the results, it could be concluded that, rooting percentage, root number and root length / explant obtained in medium containing 1.0 and 2.0 mg/L of IBA either individual or combined with 1.0 plus 2.0 mg/l of NAA, showed no statistical significant differences compared to that with 1.0 mg/l, although root length had decreased .In this concern, this result agrees with Llerente and Apostolo, (1998) also, confirmed with Mansour et al,(2003), They state that, rooting of shoots in vitro was achieved on MS medium containing indolebutyric acid (IBA). Tyagi and Prakash, (2004) found that, no rooting was observed on MS medium devoid of auxin in Jojoba shoots.…”

“…2) were induced by medium IBA combined with NAA concentration. MS medium without auxins, the roots failed to emerge high positive result , the rooting was 13.33 % after 4 wks, this results as contrary to the results of Mansour et al,(2003) on B. aegyptiaca, may be due to the effect of growth regulators accumulation in the pervious stage. According to El Nour et al, (1991), the IBA auxin did not improve rooting significantly which is contrary to our results.…”

“…All succeeded plantlets have not any callus on base of stem. This result is considered high positive as comparison to obovious result, whereas the highest value was 48 % (Mansour et al,2003), the difference may be due to callus formation. Ajithumar and Seeni, (1998) confirmed this result , they stated that, most of the roots differentiated from the calli did not have a vascular connection with the stem and establishment of the plants after hardening was poor.…”

An efficient micropropagation system for Eclipta, alba—A valuable medicinal herb

“…Among the three different media and growth regulators tested, MS medium was found to support a better response for shoot regeneration than B5 and SH media (data not shown). MS medium was more effective than other media for other medicinal plants as well (Gao et al, 1999;Komalavalli and Rao, 2000;Monsor et al, 2003;Wondyifraw and Surawit, 2004).…”