Shoot initiation and multiplication from a mature tree of Terminalia arjuna Roxb.

This study describes a protocol for the regeneration of complete plantlets of Terminalia arjuna from nodal explants of mature trees. Shoot multiplication from nodal explants was achieved by culturing on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing different concentrations of 6-benzyladenine (BA), thidiazuron or kinetin, or BA in combination with alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The best shoot multiplication response was obtained from nodal explants grown on modified MS (half-strength major salts and Fe-EDTA) medium containing 4.44 mu M BA and 0.53 mu M NAA. Seasonal variations significantly affected the proliferation potential of nodal explants and best proliferation was observed from explants collected during April to May. Microshoots were rooted on half-strength MS medium with 4.92 mu M IBA. The rooted shoots were acclimatized successfully.