Abstract Detail

Developmental and Structural Section

Ghosh, Nabarun [1], Smith, Don W. [2], Chatterjee, A. [3], Das, A. B. [4].

Regeneration and clonal propagation of the fastest growing leguminous tree Albizia falcataria (L.) Fosberg.

Tissue culture is a valuable tool for conservation and mass clonal propagation of forest trees. Albizia falcataria (L.) Fosberg is evergreen and has a value in soil improvement and as shade on different crops. Albizia falcataria (L.) Fosberg is the fastest growing leguminous tree. It is used as fuel wood as well as a shade tree. In vitro culture is an excellent tool for mass propagation and clonal multiplication of important tree species. Callus cultures of forest trees display genetic instabilities: polyploidy, aneuploidy. The potential application of in vitro techniques for the genetic improvement and propagation of trees of various economic uses has been described earlier. Studies on in vitro culture of different species of Albizia have been reported by many researchers. We have reported the effect of Gamma-radiation on in vitro culture of this species was also reported (Ghosh et al. 1993, 1995, 1998). In those studies cotyledon explants were used to establish the cultures. Present communication reports on a successful in vitro regeneration of plantlets from shoot buds directly produced on leaflet explants, an accomplishment not previously reported for A. falcataria. Young leaflets were used as the explants for in vitro regeneration of this tree species without callus intervention. The leaf explants produced adventitious shoot buds directly in vitro on culturing with MS medium supplemented with BA, IBA (4.0/0.05 mg/l) and 10% coconut milk (v/v). Addition of casein hydrolysate and coconut milk increased the production of shoot buds. The buds produced shoots and roots and showed 66% survival in a field trial. This technique offers an effective way by which large number of genetically stable plants can be produced, maintained, multiplied and transported as disease free propagules or regenerants, safely and economically.

Broader Impacts:
Albizia falcataria (L.) Fosberg is evergreen and has a value in soil improvement and as shade on different crops. It is a fast-growing tree that acquires about 3 m. in height and 30 cm. in girth in a year and offers enormous economic potential as a source of pulpwood (NAS 1979). For its fast growth rate and excellent biomass production the species has been selected for reforestation and social forestry programs, and as a shade tree on tea and coffee plantations. Tissue culture is a valuable tool for conservation and mass clonal propagation of forest trees.

1 - West Texas A&M University, Department of Life Earth and Environmental Sciences, Canyon, Texas, 79016, USA
2 - University of North Texas, Biology, Denton, Texas, 76203
3 - University of Calcutta, CAS, Botany
4 - College of Agriculture, Dept. of Agricultural Biotechnology, Orissa University of Agriculture & Technology, Bhubaneswar 751003, India

Keywords:
Albizia falcataria
tissue culture
regeneration.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Hall A/Convention Center
Date: Monday, August 2nd, 2010
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PDS001
Abstract ID:33