Large-scale production of Anogeissus pendula and A-latifolia by micropropagation

Success has been achieved in developing a complete protocol for mass propag ation of Anogeissus pendula and A. latifolia, two important forest species found in India. Seeds cultured on plant growth regulator-free, semisolid Mu rashige and Skoog (MS) medium germinated within 5-6 wk and formed 4-6-cm lo ng shoots. The shoots multiplied on MS + 4.4 muM benzyladenine (BA) + 5.7 m uM indoleacetic acid (IAA) + casein hydrolysate, (100 mg l(-1)) + ascorbic acid (50 mg l(-1)) + sucrose (3%) + agar (0.8%). A majority of the genotype s rooted with more than 90% efficiency when 5-6 cm, individual shoots were cultured on 1/2MS (only major salts reduced to half strength) + 2.3 muM IAA + 2.5 muM indolebutyric acid (IBA) + sucrose (3%) + agar (0.8%) for 15 d. Those 10% (approx.) genotypes that did not root well on the above medium co uld be rooted with ease by increasing the concentration of IAA in the rooti ng media from 2.3 to 5.7 muM. The in vitro-raised plants were successfully transferred to the soil with a success rate of over 85%. Using this protoco l, over 560 000 tissue-cultured plants of these two, species have been prod uced and dispatched to various state forest departments for field trials an d routine plantations.