IN VITRO SHOOT PROLIFERATION OF ROSEWOOD (Dalbergia latifolia: Fabaceae): A POTENT HIGH QUALITY TIMBER SPECIES

Abstract

Possibilities of mass producing Dalbergia latifolia Roxb. (Fabaceae) trees towards clonal propagation through in vitro techniques have been evaluated. Shoot tips excised from elite trees maintained under plant house conditions were established on Mc Cowns Woody Plant medium fortified with BAP (1.0 mg/L) and IAA (0.5 mg/L). The highest proliferation rate (4.95 shoots/shoot tip) was achieved using 3.0 mg/L BAP, 0.5 mg/L Kin and 0.5 mg/L IAA. The best establishment medium for leaves is Murashige and Skoog medium fortified with 0.5 or 1.0 mg/L BAP with 1.0 mg/L 2, 4-D and 4.0 mg/L NAA to initiate compact, nodular and proliferative calli. Highest rate of shoot bud differentiation (17.7 shoot buds/ 1g of callus) was achieved using 5.0 mg/L BAP with 0.2, 0.5 or 0.6 mg/L NAA.