Plant Tissue Cult. 14(2) : 135-142, 2004 (December)

In vitro Propagation of Banyan Tree (Ficus benghalensis L.) - A Multipurpose and Keystone Species of Bangladesh

M. M. Rahman, M. N. Amin and M. F. Hossain

Department of Botany, University of Rajshahi. Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh

Key words: In vitro, Propagation, Banyan tree, Ficus benghalensis

Abastract

Nodal segments of about 100-year-old banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis L.) was found to be the best for multiple axillary shoot production on MMS1 medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l BA. Subculturing of the nodal segments from regenerated shoots to the same medium profoundly stimulated shoot proliferation and elongation. These shoots were devoid of any root and induced to develop roots by culturing the isolated individual shoots on MMS2 containing 0.1 mg/l IBA. The success of rooting was 100%, while only 65% of the plantlets thus obtained were finally established in soil.

Download Full Article