EFFECT OF SUCROSE ON GROWTH AND CHLOROPHYLL SYNTHESIS OF TEAK SHOOTS IN MIXOTROPHIC CULTURE

Clonally propagated shoots of teak (Tectona grandis Linn) were culture d in vitro under photomixotrophic (sucrose 10-40 g l(-1)) and photoaut otrophic (sucrose-free medium) conditions in MS medium containing kine tin and benzyl amino purine (0.1 mg l(-1) each). Sucrose concentration s were gradually depleted in mixotrophic cultures. Growth;and fresh we ight of shoot chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll content of leaves were estimated. In sucrose-free medium, growth and chlorophyll synthe sis decreased after limited period of 2-3 subcultures, whereas they go t stimulated under photomixotrophic condition with 10-30 g l(-1) sucro se; optimum being the medium with 30 g l(-1) sucrose. Higher concentra tion of sucrose (40 g l(-1)) inhibited shoot growth. Shoots can tolera te gradual depletion of sucrose upto a limit of 5 g l(-1) under mixotr ophic condition.