In vitro regeneration of Acacia catechu Willd. from callus and mature nodal explants--an improved method

Callus was derived from cultured cotyledons on MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D (0.25 mg/l) and NAA (0.25 mg/l). Plantlets were regenerated from the callus and nodal explants on MS medium containing BAP (2.0 mg/l) and Kn (2.0 mg/l), and further multiplied on the same medium. Addition of adenine sulphate (25.0 mg/l), ascorbic acid (20.0 mg/l) and glutamine (150.0 mg/l) in the medium resulted in enhanced axillary branching. Multiple shoots formed after 6 weeks were separated and subcultured in the fresh medium of same composition. For rhizogenesis, microshoots of 2.0-2.5 cm length were dipped in sterilized IAA solution (10 mg/l) for 24 hr followed by transfer to half strength MS medium containing activated charcoal (0.02%) resulting in rooting (75%) within 8 weeks. The rooted plants were transferred to pots containing sterilized soil and sand mixture for hardening and 71% survival was recorded. Fifty true to type plantlets of A. catechu could be obtained within seven months of culture establishment.