IN VITRO MULTIPLICATION OF THE MULTIPURPOSE TREE CASUARINA EQUISETIFOLIA LINNP. K. SATHEESIIKUMAR, V. MURUGlAYI AND ADITYA K. GUPTAAbstract This study has been conducted to establish a protocol for the in vitro multiplication of Casuarina equisetifolia, Linn., a highly prized multipurpose tree belonging to the family Casuarinaceae. Axillary shoots developed from the nodal part of the shoot tip explants in aseptic conditions were used as the starting material for in vitro multiplication. Callus formation was observed when the axillary shoots were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing the plant growth regulator 6- Benzylaminopurine (BAP), which gave rise to multiple shoots when subcultured on MS basal medium supplemented with the plant growth regulators BAP and indole 3-acetic acid (IAA), within 60 to 80 days. Excised microshoots, treated with IBA followed by ABA when subcultured on MS basal medium, induced profuse rooting within one month. Three months old in vitro regenerated plantlets could be established in pots in greenhouse. The protocol demonstrates that, Casuarina equisetifolia, one of the major tree species in afforestation and wasteland development programmes worldwide can be propagated through in vitro multiplication.
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