Journal of Agriculture & Life Sciences

Native Indigenous Tree Species Show Recalcitrance to in Vitro Culture
Auroomooga P. Y. Yogananda, Bhoyroo Vishwakalyan, Jhumka Zayd

Abstract
The status of the Mauritian forest is alarming with deforestation and invasive alien species deeply affecting the indigenous flora. Therefore, major conservation strategies are needed to save the remaining endemic tree species. Explants form three endemic tree species Elaeocarpus bojeri, Foetidia mauritiana and Sideroxylon grandiflorum were grown under in vitro conditions. These species are rareand Elaeocarpus bojeri has been classified as critically endangered. Thidiazuron (TDZ) and 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) were used as growth promoters in order to stimulate seed germination, callus induction. Half strength Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) media supplemented with coconut water, activated charocoal and phytagel were used as growth media. Hormone levels of TDZ were 0.3mg/l and 0.6mg/l while BAP level was at 1mg/l. Germination rate for E.bojeri was low (5%) with TDZ 0.3mg/l. Sideroxylon grandiflorum seeds showed no response to in vitro culture, while F mauritiana showed successful callus induction with TDZ 0.6mg/l and 0.3mg/l.

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