MICROPROPAGATION OF DALBERGIA-SISSOO FROM NODAL EXPLANTS OF MATURE TREES

A method for micropropagation of Dalbergia sissoo has been developed. Single node segments obtained from coppice shoots of a mature tree (20 - 25 year old) produced 3 - 4 shoots per explant on Murashige and Sko og (MS) medium containing 4.4 x 10(-6) M benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 4 .4 x 10(-7) M of beta-naphthoxy acetic acid (NOA) (shoot multiplicatio n medium) within 4 weeks. The in vitro regenerated shoots were 3 - 4 c m in length and provided 2 to 3 culturable nodal segments which on sho ot multiplication medium again produced 3 - 4 shoots. Following this p rocedure 18 - 24 shoots were produced from single nodal segment within 60 d. 80% of the shoots directly produced five roots when they were f irstly treated with MS medium supplemented with 10(-5) M indole-3-buty ric acid (IBA) and subsequently transferred to half strength liquid MS medium containing 1% activated charcoal followed by half strength liq uid MS free hormones, vitamins and activated charcoal. The in vitro ra ised plants were hardened for survival after transplantation to soil b y exposing them to various humidity conditions, gradually from higher to low, with nearly 100% transplant success.