Micropropagation of Shorea robusta: An economically important woody plant

Abstract

Shorea robusta is a valuable tree species which provides good quality timber along with other useful materials like seeds which can be used as a source of starch. Woody plants are difficult to regenerate under in vitro conditions and only some success has been achieved so far. Here we have presented the data for successful in vitro regeneration of S. robusta using nodal explants. Shoot proliferation and rooting were also successfully achieved in subsequent subcultures. The best medium for shoot initiation and proliferation was found to be WPM with 1.0 mg·l-1 BAP and 0.5 mg·l-1 NAA and 1.0 mg·l-1 BAP +0.5 mg·l-1 NAA, respectively. Likewise for rooting WPM medium with 0.5 mg·l-1 IBA was found to be the best medium.