Plantlet Regeneration from Cultured Nodal Segments in Sandalwood (Santalum album Linn.)

Study Objectives: An effort has been made to compute the optimal quantity of plant growth regulators to be added in culture medium and other physical factors exhibiting higher in vitro morphogenesis with ‘elite’ lines of sandalwood by culturing nodal segment.

Results: Higher percentage of direct somatic embryogenesis, number(s) of somatic embryo per explant and plantlet regeneration via direct organogenesis were evidenced on MS medium augmented with a moderate concentration of TDZ (1.0 mgl-1) in combination with comparatively a lower concentration of NAA (0.5 mgl-1). A comparative higher concentration of BAP (1.0-2.0 mgl-1) in amalgamation with a lower concentration of NAA (0.5 mgl-1) encouraged frequency of indirect somatic embryogenesis. From culture media fortified with a greater concentration of BA at 4.0 mgl-1 in combination with a lower concentration of NAA, the proportion of organ development directly from the surface of cultured explants was recovered (0.5 mgl-1). Maximum plantlets regenerated via somatic embryogenesis (direct and/or indirect) on regeneration medium fortified with 2.0 mgl-1TDZ in combination with 1.0 mg l-1GA3, while plantlets in higher frequencies via indirect organogenesis was achieved with regeneration medium modified with relatively lower concentration of TDZ (1.0 mg l-1) in amalgamation with 0.5 mgl-1 GA3 and 0.5 mgl-1 NAA. The plantlets were transferred to pots and hardened in Environmental Growth Cabinet and Net House during initial weaning period and shifted to field magnificently. Morphologically usual plants were obtained.