<i>In vitro</I> micrografting of <i>Sterculia setigera</i> Del.

Abstract

An in vitro procedure micrografting of adult scions of Sterculia setigera was developed to overcome low rooting in adult shoot. Axenic micro shoots of 0.5 cm length taken from adult trees as scions were grafted on seedlings rootstocks cultured on MS medium. 100% success was obtained with micrografts using adult apex as scions. Upon three cycles of in vitro micrografting, rejuvenation capacities of S. setigera was recovered as shown by vigour, length and rooting of shoots grown from grafts cultured on MS medium compared to seedlings. Successful micrografts were transferred to plastic pots containing soil under mist house conditions before they were finally exposed to an external environment. 80% of the plantlets survived in the nursery.

Keywords: Sterculia setigera, micrografting, rejuvenation, rooting