In vitro clonal propagation of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis

Rapid shoot multiplication of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis was achieved from axillary meristems on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with 1.0-1.5 mg/cubic dm 6-benzylaminopurine (BA), 50 mg/cubic dm adenine sulfate (Ads) and 3% (m/v) sucrose. Inclusion of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in the culture medium along with BA + Ads promoted a higher rate of shoot multiplication. Maximum mean number of microshoots per explant (6.65) was achieved on the MS medium supplemented with 1.5 mg/cubic dm BA, 50 mg/cubic dm Ads and 0.1 mg/cubic dm IAA after 4 weeks of culture. The elongated shoots rooted within 13 to 14 d on half-strength MS medium supplemented with either indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), IAA or 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) with 2% sucrose. Maximum percentage of rooting was obtained on medium having 0.25 mg/cubic dm IBA and 0.1 mg/cubic dm IAA. About 70% of the rooted plantlets survived in the greenhouse. The in vitro raised plants were grown normally in the field.