In vitro propagation of Bombax ceiba L. (silkcotton)

An in vitro protocol has been developed for multiplication from shoot tips of Bombax ceiba L., a multipurpose tree species belonging to the family Bom bacaceae. High frequency bud break and multiple shoots were induced from sh oot tips of B. ceiba on MURASHIGE and SKOOG (1962) medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine. One shoot was formed per explant in the init ial cultures, however, on an average, 7.4 +/- 0.5 shoots were formed from a single shoot tip over a period of 16 weeks. The shoots were successfully r ooted on half strength MS medium containing 2.0 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid. In vitro raised plants were hardened for survival before transplantation t o soil.