<i>In vitro</i> multiplication of the semi-arid forest tree, <i>Balanites aegyptiaca</i> (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.


Key words: Balanites aegyptiaca, micropropagation, rooting.


African Journal of Biotechnology Vol.2(11) 2003: 421-424