In vitro propagation of Pithecellobium saman (Raintree)

Summary Plants were obtained via organogenesis from hypocotyl explants of Pithecellobium saman (Jacq.) Benth. (raintree) on Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium supplemented with N 6 -benzyladenine (BA). Adventitious bud induction was affected by mineral salts and benzyladenine concentrations, explant age, position of explant on the medium, and BA exposure time. The best results were obtained with explants cultured on half-strength MS medium containing 26.6 µ M BA, with explants of 5 and 10 d after germination placed horizontally and a 7 d-exposure period to BA. The proximal and intermediate section of hypocotyls showed the highest organogenic response. Bud development and shoot elongation was promoted by increased concentrations of activated charcoal in the culture medium. Gibberellic acid had no effect on shoot development. Rooting percentages decreased when shoots were exposed for more than 24 h to indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Maximum rooting was obtained with 369.0 µ M IBA. The aerial and root systems of greenhouse plantlets were similar to those of seedlings.