In vitro propagation of Pterocarpus santalinus L. (Red Sandalwood) through tissue culture

Studies have been conducted to develop an in vitro propagation protocol for Pterocarpus santalinus L., an endangered medicinal plant. Stem cuttings excised from one year old plants were surface sterilized successfully using 15 % clorox (5.25 % NaOCl) for 10 minutes followed by 70 % ethanol for two minutes and established on Mc Cowns woody plant medium (WPM) with 0.1 % activated charcoal. Different explant types were tested including cotyledonary nodal segments, mesocotyl segments, in vitro derived shoot tips, immature and semi-hard wood cuttings detached from one year old plants and in vitro germinated seedlings. Maximum number of shoots and shoot branches were obtained with the Gamberg medium (B5) with 8.0 μM 6-benzyle amino purine (BAP) and 2.0 μM napthalene acetic acid (NAA). Adventitious roots were formed on micro shoots on half-strength solid Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 0.5 μM indole butric acid (IBA) after exposing to pulse treatment with 250 μM IBA for 12 hours. In vitro rooted plantlets were successfully acclimatized in pots containing sand:coir dust (1: 1) in a humid chamber during the first four weeks followed by keeping in a plant-house for another four weeks before repotting or field establishment.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/jnsfsr.v41i1.5333

J.Natn.Sci.Foundation Sri Lanka 2013 41 (1): 53- 63