MICROCLONING STUDIES IN ALOE BARBADENSIS

Stem disc explant of Aloe was cultured on MS basal medium containing different auxins, cytokinins as sole as well as in combinations. Culture medium MS2D (MS+2.0 mg.l-1 2,4-D) initiated callus in higher proportion. Proliferation medium MS3B (MS+3.0 mg.l-1 2,4-D) demonstrated higher shoot proliferation efficiency (90.41%) as well as number of shoot (s) / responding explant (9.67), while nutrient medium MS3B.5N (MS+3.0 mg.l-1 NAA+ 0.5 mg.l-1NAA) produced shoot of higher length (7.04 cm). Higher in vitro rooting response viz: root proliferating efficiency (92.88%), number of root (s) (9.75 ) and mean root length (9.10 cm) was shown by rooting medium MS2IB (MS+ 2.0 mg.l-1 IBA). Regenerated plantlets were established successfully in the field after hardening. Phenotypically normal plants were regenerated.