SHOOT PRODUCTION THROUGH CUTTING CULTURE AND MICROGRAFTING FROM MATURE TREE EXPLANTS IN ACACIA-TORTILIS (NFORSK) HAYNE SUBSP RADDIANA (SAVI) BRENAN

Shoot propagation from mature tree explants of Acacia tortilis subsp. raddiana, a tropical tree legume, was studied. The effects of (i) the size of cuttings and (ii) a recut treatment of the donor trees, on axi llary bud growth from multinodal horticultural cuttings are reported. Apices from seedlings, axillary buds from young lignified branches of mature trees, and axillary buds obtained through in vitro axillary bra nching from microcuttings isolated onto mature trees were all successf ully micrografted on seedling rootstocks. A sterilization procedure fo r field explants is reported. Propagation via cuttings and via microgr afting are discussed with regard to rejuvenation of mature donor trees .