Callus Induction and Plant Regeneration in Wood Apple (<em>Aegle marmelos</em> L.) from a Mature Tree

Abstract

An improved and rapid protocol for in vitro propagation of wood apple (Aegle marmelos L.), a medicinal tree, was achieved from nodal segments of a 10-year-old tree cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with various concentrations of auxins and cytokinins individually and in various combinations. BAP was found to be more effective than kinetin for shoot multiplication. Nodal explants responded most favorably at low BAP (2.0 mg\l) producing maximum number of shoots (8.0) and uniform shoots facilitating their simultaneous harvest for rooting. The medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l BAP + 1.0 mg/l IAA was found to be most prolific combination of the treatments with regard to number and length of shoots. Creamy friable competent callus accompanying multiple shoots (8.0) was achieved from nodal segment on MS medium fortified with 2.0 mg/l BAP + 0.5 mg/l 2, 4-D within 8 days of culture. Callus derived shoots were rooted best in half strength MS medium enriched with 1.0 mg/l IAA. The rooted plantlets were successfully established with 60% survival.

Keywords: Aegle marmelos, wood apple, callus induction, auxins, cytokinins