In Vitro Shoot Proliferation and Root Induction of Shoot Tip Explants from Mature Male Plants of Casuarina cunninghamiana Miq.

Abstract

This study examined the effects of plant growth regulators, explant types, and their orientations on in vitro shoot proliferation of Casuarina cunninghamiana Miq. and also the subsequent rooting ability of shoots. Results showed that shoot proliferation occurred only in shoot tip explants cultured vertically on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2 or 4 μM thidiazuron (TDZ). Neither 6-benzylaminopurine alone nor in a combination with 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) or gibberellic acid had any effect on shoot proliferation. TDZ at 4 μM resulted in the greatest percentage of axillary bud sprouting (70%) and mean number of sprouts per explant (2.3). Additionally, no shoot proliferation was observed from detipped or single-node explants or from horizontally placed shoot tip explants when cultured on the same TDZ-containing medium. The induced shoots produced adventitious roots on MS medium supplemented with 2.5, 5, or 10 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), not with indole-3-acetic acid and NAA. Although the mean number of roots per explant was not significantly different between 2.5 and 5 μM IBA, the highest rooting percentage (68%) and mean length of roots per explant (0.7 cm) was achieved at 5 μM IBA. The current study provided preliminary information toward commercial in vitro propagation of Casuarina cunninghamiana male plants.