Abstract
The present study explores the potential of exogenous auxins in the development of adventitious shoots and roots from shoot cuttings of Couroupita guianensis (Nagalingam), a threatened tree. Experiments were conducted to assess the effect of various concentrations of auxins on shoot and root morphological traits of stem cuttings in the greenhouse. Amongst the auxins tested, significant effects on number of shoot buds' induction and their growth were observed with α-Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) treated nodal cuttings. Cent percentage of the stem cuttings of C. guianensis were rooted and shoots were induced when pretreated with 400 mg L−1 NAA for 5 min. Maximum 79% of stem cuttings responded to pretreatment of 300 mg L−1indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) for 5 min, and 75% of stem cuttings induced shoots with 400 mg L−1indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Presence of at least 5 nodes on stem cuttings was found to be prerequisite for root and shoot induction. About 92% of plants were survived under natural soil conditions raised from the stem cuttings. This is the first report of vegetative propagation of C. guianensis through stem cuttings which could be used for conservation strategy and sustainable utilization of this threatened medicinal tree.
Highlights
Couroupita guianensis Aubl. is commonly known as Cannonball tree, Nagalingam, Ayahuma, Kailaspati, Calabasse Colin, Bala de canon, and Carrion tree [1]
The stem cuttings of C. guianensis were harvested from the garden maintained healthy trees in the campus of the institute (Puducherry)
The propagation system using stem cuttings can be a key step in vegetative propagation and minimizing the risk of declining the species
Summary
Couroupita guianensis Aubl. (family Lecythidaceae) is commonly known as Cannonball tree, Nagalingam, Ayahuma, Kailaspati, Calabasse Colin, Bala de canon, and Carrion tree [1]. Due to its high medicinal value and absence of propagation system, the tree has been exploited indiscriminately, facing a high risk of extinction, and was listed as threatened species worldwide in the IUCN red list [2, 3]. This large deciduous as well as evergreen tree grows to the height of 20 meters with simple clustered leaves at the juvenile part of the stem. The tree bears large cluster of cauliflorous racemose inflorescence with stunning fragrance It produces amphisarcum, woody, indehiscent fruits with many seeds [4, 5]. This plant gathers medicinal importance due to the presence of eugenol, fernesol, nerol, tryptanthrine, indigo, indirubin, isatin, linoleic acid, α- and β-amirins, carotenoids, sterols, phenolic compounds, rutin, quercetin, kaempherol, famaricetin, luteolin, saponin, alkaloids, terpenoids, tannins, triterpenoids, anthocyanin, flavonoids, steroids, anthraquinones, citric acid, tartaric acid, couroupitine, and pelargonidin glycosides [6,7,8]
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