RAPID IN-VITRO MULTIPLICATION OF JUJUBE THROUGH MATURE STEM EXPLANTS

Stem explants obtained from a mature tree of Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk were grown on modified Murashige and Skoog medium containing 3800 mg l (-1) potassium nitrate, 2475 mg l(-1) ammonium nitrate, 11 mu M benzyl adenine and 0.5 mu M indole-3-acetic acid. During successive subcultur es 15-20 shoots per inoculum were produced. Rooting was induced by pre treatment with 50 mu M indolebutyric acid or 1-naphthaleneacetic acid for 24 h followed by transfer to auxin-free White's medium. Plantlets grew well in a soil and vermiculite mixture.