Clonal propagation of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) by tissue culture

摘要

A study was conducted to develop in vitro culture techniques relevant to the clonal multiplication of cashew (A. occidentale) using the Tanzanian elite clone AC4. Cultural factors affecting shoot proliferation, shoot elongation, and node developmentwere assessed using glasshouse-raised plants of various ages. MS salts medium containing full-strength macroelements was found to be the best for shoot proliferation and shoot elongation. Increasing ages of stock plants resulted in drastic decreases inthe abilities of axillary buds on nodal explants to sprout and elongate and best performances were obtained from juvenile explants of 1-6-month-old explants. Out of six cytokinins compared, 6-benzylamino purine [benzyladenine] applied at 30 #mu#M and zeatinat 5 #mu#M were found to be optimal for axillary shoot proliferation and shoot elongation, respectively. Microshoots were rooted in vitro at a frequency of 50-60% when cultured for 3 days on woody plant medium with 0.5 mM IBA. About 60-65% of rooted microshoots survived weaning and produced healthy vigorously growing plants.