Abstract
Leaf discs and apical meristems were cultured in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with cytokinin and auxin at different concentrations. Callus production was observed in all tested media after six days of incubation. Callus produced in the presence of high concentration of NAA (2.0mg/1) was fragile in texture and yellow in colour. Highest callus formation was observed from leaf discs in the medium supplemented with 1.0mg/1 NAA and 0.5 mg/l BAP in dark at $25{\pm}1{\circ}C$. Percentage of callus formation was 95% and mean callus fresh weight was 654.88 43.53 mg. Shoots were induced from the callus after 4 weeks in 1/2MS medium supplemented with BAP and kinetin both at 0.5mg/1. When elongated shoots were separated and transferred into multiplication medium (MS+0.5mg/1 BAP+0.5mg/1 kinetin) multiplication rate was 6.4 after 6 weeks. Higher concentrations of BAP caused callus production at the base. Direct shoot induction was observed from apical meristems in MS medium in the presence of 0.175 mg/1 IAA + 2.25mg/1 BAP and 0.175 mg/1 IAA + 3.0 mg/1 BAP in 16 hour day at $25{\pm}1{\circ}C$. Explants (apical meristems) elongated to form a single shoot forming a callus at the base. Adventitious buds were sprouted out from the base. Percentage explants which producing shoots was 28.57 and 65.5 respectively. Multiple shoot induction was also observed in the same media. Highest multiple shoot production was observed in the presence of 0.175 mg/l IAA and 3.0mg/l BAP, Mean number of shoots per explant was 5.36 and the mean shoot length was $16.66{\pm}4.15$mm. Shoots (20 30m length) were tested for root induction. Excised shoots were transferred into rooting media, which contains different concentrations of NAA and IAA. Best rooting performance was observed in 1/2MS medium supplemented with 0.1mg/1 NAA after 10 days of incubation in 16 hr photoperiod at $25{\pm}1{\circ}C$. Mean number of roots per shoot was 6 and the mean root length was 252mm. Rooted plantlets were transferred into sterile coir dust:sand (1:4) mixture and maintained in a humid chamber for two weeks, They were gradually exposed to the natural environment. After three weeks they were transferred to pots containing coir dust:sand (1:2) mixture for further development where the 90% survival was observed.