IN VITRO PROPAGATION OF AILANTHUS TRIPHYSA

Abstract

In vitro propagation of the tropical tree species, Ailanthus triphysa, using axillary and terminal bud explants from 3- to 4-year-old saplings was attempted. Murashige and Skoog basal medium was the best medium for culture establishment and shoot growth. Among the various cytokinins supplemented to the basal medium, singly or in combination with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), N⁶-benzyladenine (BA) at 3.0 mg l^-1 was better for leaf and multiple shoot production. Combinations of two cytokinins, namely BA (3.0 mg l^-1) and kinetin (1.0 mg l^-1), produced multiple shoots with highest mean number of shoots (4.3). However, shoot elongation was very limited in all growth regulator combinations tested for shoot production. Rooting of microshoots was successfully accomplished in half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with both 4.0 mg l^-1 IAA and 0.4 mg l^-1 indole-3-butyric acid.