IN VITRO PROPAGATION OF NEEM FROM SEEDLING AND MATURE TREE
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Abstract
Azadirachta indica A. Juss. commonly known as Neem is medicinally and
pesticidally important tree. Its seed viability lost for few months which falls off
rapidly after two weeks. Thus conventional multiplication through seeds is limited.
Present paper described in vitro plantlet formation from nodal explant of mature
tree and seedling. Nodal explant from mature tree when cultured on Murashige
and Skoogs medium (with half concentration of NH4N03 and KN03) supplemented
with 0.5-5.0 mgtl benzyladenine produced 3-4 shoots in 4 weeks. The number
of shoots increased along with increase in the shoot length when second
subculture was done on MS + 2.5 mgA BA. Similar results were obtained with
nodes excised from young seedling. However, addition of 50 mgtl Adenine
sulphate in the medium was found to be better for shoot growth. These shoots
when transferred to MS + 0.5 mgll BA further elongated. In vitro developed
shoots were rooted on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 - 3.0 mgtl NAA