MICROPROPAGATION OF A FRUIT TREE, MORUS-AUSTRALIS POIR SYN MORUS-ACIDOSA GRIFF

High frequency bud break and multiple shoots were induced in nodal exp lants collected between November to February from a 5 year old tree of Morus australis Poir syn. M. acidosa Griff. on Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (1.0 mg/l). Incorporation of gibberellic acid (0.3 mg/l) along with BAP (1.0 mg/l) not only ind uced faster bud break from nodal explants as well as from apical shoot buds, but it also enhanced the frequency of bud break. Nodal explants were more responsive than apical shoot buds. The shoots formed in vit ro were multiplied further as nodal segments, and an average multiplic ation rate of 6-fold per subculture was established within 4-5 months. The shoots were successfully rooted on half-strength MS containing a combination of indole-3-acetic acid, indole-3-butyric acid and indole- 3-propionic acid each at 1.0 mg/l. The plantlets were successfully har dened off and established in natural soil.