A micropropagation protocol for mass multiplication of Terminalia arjuna - a valuable medicinal tree

摘要

A reliable and efficient micropropagation protocol was developed through axillary shoot proliferation from nodal explants of mature Terminalia arjuna . Season of explants collection and maturity of explants showed direct influence on bud-break. Nodal stem segments collected during the months of April and May gave best response. Nodal segments of fresh sprouts originated from lopped tree of T. arjuna were used as explants for establishment of in vitro culture . Surface sterilized explants produced optimum number of shoots through activation of axillary buds - on modified Murashige and Skoog’s (M-MS) medium. Maximum (100%) in vitro shoot proliferation was obtained on M-MS medium supplemented with 8.86 μM BAP + additives (100 mg L -1 of ascorbic acid, 50 mg L -1 of citric acid, 50 mg L -1 of adenine sulphate and 25 mg L -1 PVP). Modified M-MS medium supplemented with 4.44 μM BAP + 0.54 μM NAA + additives was found to be best for 11.38±0.26 shoot multiplication. After four week of culturing the in vitro regenerated shoots were rooted when pulse treated with 984 μM IBA for 10 min and transferred on hormone free half strength MS medium containing 100 mg L -1 activated charcoal. In vitro regenerated plants were transferred to field after gradual hardening and acclimatization procedure. Present method can be used for large scale commercial production of this medicinally important tree.