Micropropagation ofAnogeissus rotundifoliaBlatt, and Hallb.-An Endemic and Rare Tree of the Thar Desert

Abstract

Abstract Multiple shoots and plantlets were developed in vitro from cotyledonary nodal segments of in vitro raised seedlings of Anogeissus rotundifolia (syn. A. sericea var. nummularia)-a rare and endemic tree species of the Thar Desert. About 15-20 shoots differentiated from a single cotyledonary node within four weeks on Mu-rashige and Skoog's (MS) basal medium containing 0.1 mg l−1 indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) + 2.0 mg l−1 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) + additives (25 mg l−1 each of adenine sulphate, L-arginine, and citric acid, and 50 mg l−1 of ascorbic acid) at 26 ± 2°C temperature and 36 μmol m−2 s−1 photon flux density with a 12 h/day photoperiod. The shoots produced in vitro were further multiplied by subculturing on fresh medium. The original cotyledonary nodal segment was repeatedly transferred (5 to 6 times) onto fresh medium containing 1.0 mg l −1 BAP + 0.1 mg I −1 IAA + additives to yield fresh crops of multiple shoots. These shoots were rooted on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mg l−...