Encapsulation of in vitro nodes of Stereospermum suaveolens DC. for propagation

Abstract

Stereospermum suaveolens is a threatened medicinal tree that possesses winged seeds with low percent seed germination. To propagate this valuable species, synthetic seeds were prepared by encapsulation technique. Single in vitro nodes were excised from the in vitro shoot cultures and were utilized for encapsulation. Different gel matrix combinations were tested, of which 3% sodium alginate and 75mM CaCl2 were optimum in forming uniform synseeds. Utilizing this gel combination, different matrices were prepared and the frequency of percent germination of synseeds was recorded. The in vitro nodes encapsulated in MS+Kn8μM matrix, when placed in MS basal regenerative medium, resulted in maximum percent germination (100%) after 4 weeks whereas maximum shoot number (1.5±0.7) emerged from the encapsulated buds in WPM + Kn8μM matrix when placed in WPM + IBA 2μM static regenerative medium. Thus, the encapsulation technique can be utilized as an alternative method for the propagation of S.suaveolens.