Abstract
Brachylaena huillensis (Asteraceae) is a threatened resourceful timber tree species. B. huillensis regenerates only through seeds. However, the seeds have poor germination rate and are also not obtainable. Developing tissue culture techniques for B. huillensis will permit the application of biotechnology to its propagation and provide alternative method for its regeneration. The current study was conducted to investigate the effect of antioxidant ascorbic acid in controlling lethal browning caused by oxidized phenols in in vitro culture of Brachylaena huillensis using nodal segments. The treatments included four levels of ascorbic acid (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, & 250 mg/litre) supplied into basal woody plant medium supplemented with Benzylaminopurine (BAP). The results of the current study revealed that production of phenolic compounds of explants was significantly controlled by incorporating higher levels of ascorbic acid into the medium. The best control was achieved by supplying 200-250 mg/litre of ascorbic acid in the woody plant medium supplemented with BAP.
Highlights
Silver Oak (Brachylaena huillensis) is a versatile timber tree species in the family Asteraceae [1,2]
The results in the present study showed that there was a significant difference among the concentrations of ascorbic acid used
The study established that the best results for controlling browning were obtained when B. huillensis nodal segments were cultured on woody plant medium (WPM) medium supplemented with 5μM BAP while incorporated with 200 mg/litre of ascorbic acid (Figures 1(a) and (b))
Summary
Silver Oak (Brachylaena huillensis) is a versatile timber tree species in the family Asteraceae [1,2]. The species is suitable for timber and carving artefacts [5] charcoal, essential oil, [5,6,7] sleepers, flooring blocks, furniture and turnery [5,6,7]. Due to its durability, the species is used as fence posts, building poles, transmission poles, ornamental and medicine for schistosomiasis and leaves are used for diabetes [6]. The Silver Oak is illegally exploited for timber, charcoal, carving, building poles, fencing posts, ornaments, medicine, perfumery and toilet preparations, sleepers, flooring blocks, furniture, and turnery [1,7,8]. There is lack of a seed bank [5] and most of the seeds are eaten by insects, which renders the natural regeneration of the tree species uncertain
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
