PROTOCOL FOR IN-VITRO PROPAGATION OF EXCOECARIA-AGALLOCHA L., A MEDICINALLY IMPORTANT MANGROVE SPECIES

An in vitro propagation protocol has been developed for Excoecaria aga llocha L. (Euphorbiaceae), a mangrove species. Nodal segments were use d for axillary shoot proliferation. One shoot from each node of binoda l explants was observed 3 weeks after inoculation. The best axillary s prouting was seen on a newly formulated medium containing BA, Zeatin a nd IBA in concentrations of 13.3 mu M, 4.65 mu M and 1.23 mu M, respec tively. The new medium, first used in this study, has a specific compo sition of major nutrients, MS micronutrients and iron compounds. Nodal segments from rooted cuttings and seedlings responded better than tho se of mature tree explants. Multiple shoot induction was complemented with efficient shoot elongation, and repeated subculture of binodal se gments from axillary shoots resulted in 10-12 shoots per explant in 3 months. Rooting was achieved by growing shoots in the new medium with 0.23 mu M IBA. Regenerated plants were successfully acclimatized to th e natural environment, and about 85% of plantlets survived under ex vi tro conditions. This is the first report of micropropagation in the ge nus Excoecaria and also in mangrove tree species.