Vegetative Propagation

Callus induction from petiole explants has been achieved in Alocasia micholitziana `Green Velvet'. The highest percentage (71%) of explants inducing callus was obtained on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 μM 2,4-D and 0.5 μM kinetin in the dark after 4 months of culture. Shoots were regenerated at the highest frequency of 33.3% under light condition when 0.5 μM BA was added to MS medium with the average of 7.8±2.3 shoots per callus explant. The callus-derived shoots rooted on hormone free MS medium and within 4 weeks the plantlets were ready for acclimatization. The regenerated plants appeared morphologically similar to mother plants.

Reforestation in the arid zone depends on the successful propagation of trees. Vegetative propagation may serve as a good alternative to propagation by seed. This study was carried out in a nursery in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. The study was focused to determine the effects 4 various concentrations of indole butyric acid (IBA) on the rooting and growth of Delonix regia stem cuttings. The treatments consisted of four concentrations of IBA (1000ppm, 2000ppm, 3000ppm, 4000ppm) and control. The experiment was factorially combined and laid in a complete randomized block design with four replications. The results indicated that application of IBA at 2000-3000ppm compared to 1000ppm and 4000ppm gave significantly (p<0.05) higher results in all measured parameters. Cuttings treated with IBA in respective of concentration gave higher results than those without IBA (control) in all parameters except root number where treated cuttings were at par with control.

Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle ex Benth., a high value medicinal herb of alpine Himalaya and a source of hepatoprotective picrosides, is listed as ‘endangered’ due to heavy collection from its natural habitat. The present report deals with successful propagation of this species using both conventional and in vitro techniques. Vegetative propagation was achieved by rooting runner cuttings with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or α-naphtheleneacetic acid (NAA) treatment before planting. Nearly 87% rooting success was achieved by treatment of cuttings with 50.0 μM IBA. Seeds were given a presoaking treatment with gibberellic acid (GA3), 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) or a combination of both to influence germination. More than 11-fold improvement in germination was recorded in seeds treated with 250.0 μM GA3. In vitro shoot multiplication was achieved through sprouting of axillary buds using nodal segment. Multiple shoots were formed following culture for 3 weeks on Murashige and Skoog (MS; 1962. Physiologia Plantarum 15: 473–497) medium containing 1.0 μM BAP. Cent percent rooting success, without basal callus formation, was observed when individual microshoots were placed in MS medium supplemented with IBA. The plantlets raised using conventional as well as tissue culture methods were hardened and successfully established in the experimental field located at 2450 m elevation. In addition, strategies have been discussed to encourage cultivation and in situ conservation of this highly valued medicinal herb so as to reduce pressure on its natural populations.

This paper describes a successful protocol of vegetative propagation by using stem cuttings of mature Peltophorum petrocarpum plants. The experiment was conducted in the nursery of the Forestry Research Centre at Soba during November 2011and April 2012. The socioeconomic importance of P. petrocarpum comes from its multipurpose uses and there is a demand in production of its seed for tree planting and domestication activities. Hence there is a need for efficient and economically feasible propagation method of P. pterocarpum. Therefore the objective of study is to develop a vegetative propagation protocol by using rooted stem cuttings; and to determine the effects of the rooting hormone indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) on rooting potentiality of stem cuttings of mature mother plants. The result revealed a significant effect (p<0.001) of IBA concentrations on rooting percentage and growth performance of stem cuttings. The highest rooting percent was obtained with 200ppm IBA which was not significantly different from 100ppm, but significantly different from 50 and 0.0ppm. The effect of IBA concentrations on root lengths and of roots per cutting was significantly different from 0.0 and 50ppm treatments. Although 100ppm IBA gave the tallest root (4.6 cm) but it was not significantly different from 200ppm (4.3 cm). Survival of rooted cuttings after transplanting from the propagator was 100% and 97% with 100 and 200mg IBA respectively. Accordingly the conclusion reached is that rooted cuttings can be used successfully for obtaining health, uniform plantations of P. petrocarpum for large-scale, biomass production and tree planting programmes.

The genus Vanilla belongs to the Orchidaceae family and Vanilla planifolia, probably endemic from tropical forests in Eastern Mexico, is the main source for commercial vanilla. There has recently been an important number of publications covering Vanilla taxonomy, particularly using molecular genetics, but the taxonomy of the genus is still unclear and numerous synonyms remain. Recent studies showed that inter-specific hybridization and perhaps even polyploidization played an important role in the evolution of the genus. There has also been an important increase in the knowledge of the genetic diversity and reproductive biology of V. planifolia in natural conditions, showing that mating system diversity exists in Vanilla and that this genus could be a good model to study the role of fragrance in orchid evolution. Recent studies on the genetic consequences of V. planifolia domestication are also presented and raise major scientific questions regarding the origin of phenotypic diversity in a vegetatively propagated crop. Finally, all these studies have demonstrated the urgent need for preservation of the genetic resources of V. planifolia (primary and secondary gene pools, and cultivated resources) and current conservation efforts are presented.

Gmelina arborea Roxb. (gmelina) is a rapidly growing tree, which due to its drought tolerance and excellent wood properties, is emerging as an important plantation species. Perhaps the greatest threat to plantations of this tree is damage due to pests and diseases. Numerous insect pests and pathogens have been recorded in stands of gmelina in areas where the trees are native. Some fungal pathogens have been introduced into areas where the trees have been established as exotics. Among these, leaf spot caused by Pseudocercospora ranjita is most widespread although it has not caused any substantial damage. A serious vascular wilt disease caused by Ceratocystis fimbriata in Brazil has caused the most significant failure of G. arborea in plantations. In plantations within the natural range of the tree, insects have caused substantial damage. Among these, the defoliator Calopepla leayana (Chrysomelidae) appears to be most important. No serious insect pest problems have been recorded where G. arborea is grown as an exotic. All indications are that pathogens and insect pests will become much more serious impediments to the propagation of gmelina in the future. However, excellent opportunities exist to resolve such problems through biological control of insects and integrated disease and pest management. In addition, gmelina can be vegetatively propagated and thus, breeding and selection for insect and pathogen tolerance will facilitate the propagation of healthy trees. Palabras clave: Control biológico, Cuarentena, Especies exóticas, Implementación operacional de clones Resumen. La Gmelina arborea Roxb. (gmelina) es un árbol de rápido crecimiento, el cual debido a su tolerancia a las sequías y a sus excelentes propiedades de la madera se está convirtiendo en una especie de importancia para las plantaciones forestales. Tal vez, la amenaza más grande para las plantaciones de estos árboles es el daño causado por las plagas y las enfermedades. En las áreas en donde la especie es nativa, se han reportado gran cantidad de plagas de insectos y de patógenos. Algunos hongos patógenos se han introducido dentro de las áreas en donde los árboles han sido establecidos como especies exóticas. Entre estos, las manchas de las hojas ocasionadas por el hongo Pseudocercospora ranjita, es el más extendido aunque no ha causado ningún daño sustancial. Una seria enfermedad de marchitamiento vascular causada por el Ceratocystis fimbriata en el Brasil, ha causado la pérdida más seria en las plantaciones de G. arborea. En las plantaciones dentro del rango natural del árbol, los insectos han causado un daño considerable. Entre estos insectos, el defoliador más importante parece ser el Calopepla leayana (Chrysomelidae). En las áreas en donde la gmelina crece como una especie exótica no se han reportado problemas con las plagas de insectos. Todo parece indicar que en un futuro, los agentes patógenos y las plagas de insectos se convertirán en un impedimento más serio para la progagación de la gmelina. Sin embargo, a través del control biológico de insectos y del manejo integrado de las enfermedades y plagas, existen excelentes oportunidades para resolver este tipo de problemas. Además, la gmelina puede ser propagada vegetativamente y por lo tanto su mejoramiento y selección facilitará la propagación de árboles saludables por su resistenciacia contra los insectos y los patógenos.

Over-utilisation and continuous depletion of medicinal plants have affected their supply and loss of genetic diversity. Hence the current study is based on conservation strategies for threatened medicinal plants with special reference to Barleria prionitis L. using in vitro and ex vitro propagation techniques. We have developed here a protocol for plant regeneration of Barleria prionitis L. We have also developed an efficient system of vegetative propagation of Barleria prionitis L. through stem cuttings using revive rooting hormones. These studies can be useful for conservation strategies of this important medicinal plant.

Rooting and initial shoot growth was evaluated on stem cuttings of four tropical ornamentals receiving no auxin treatment, a basal quick-dip in auxin (4920μM IBA + 2685μM NAA) prior to insertion into the rooting substrate, or a spray-to-drip foliar application of auxin (ranging from 4.9μM IBA + 2.7μM NAA to 492μM IBA + 269μM NAA) after insertion into the rooting

Under the Joint FAO/IAEA programme, radiation-induced mutations are used for genetic improvement of both seed and vegetatively propagated plants. The FAO/IAEA programme maintains a database of officially released mutant varieties worldwide (http:www-mvd.iaea.org/). Currently, over 2300 mutant varieties are registered in our database. Coordinated Research Projects (CRPs) and Technical Co-operation Projects (TCP) are two major activities at IAEA that serve Member States at the national, regional and interregional levels. This article highlights CRPs on banana, underutilized and neglected crops, and tropical and subtropical fruits. CRPs on banana and underutilized and neglected crops have already been concluded. TCPs in South East Asia (Thailand, and Malaysia), Africa (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana), and the Middle East (Yemen) are discussed. The main projects in South East Asia are on genetic improvement of ornamental plants, fruits and cereals. In Africa, projects are on cassava, date palm, salinity and drought. In the Middle East, funded projects are related to salinity, and drought. In this article, major achievements are highlighted through CRPs and TCPs on low cost tissue culture, banana, underutilised and neglected crops, tropical and subtropical fruits.

Coconut is a cross pollinating palm, propagated only by seeds. Tissue culture is the only vegetative propagation method available for coconut. Consistent callogenesis was obtained by culturing unfertilised ovaries at -4 stage in CRI 72 medium containing 100 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 0.1% activated charcoal. Callusing was improved by application of 9 μM thidiazuron (TDZ). Embryogenic calli were subcultured onto somatic embryogenesis induction medium containing 66 μM 2,4-D. Stunted growth was observed in the somatic embryos after subculture onto CRI 72 medium containing abscisic acid (ABA). Maturation of somatic embryos could be achieved in Y3 medium without growth regulators. Conversion of somatic embryos was induced by adding gibberellic acid (GA3) to conversion medium containing 5 μM 6-benzyladenine (BA) while 2-isopentyl adenine (2iP) increased the frequency of plant regeneration. A total of 83 plantlets was produced from 32 cultured ovaries.

Developments in the Indian seed industry and their impact on access and use of commercial seed by farmers have been examined. Various types of seed systems such as hybrids, self-pollinated crops, vegetatively propagated crops, crops with high seed volume, etc have been analysed. It has been shown that the commercial seed markets for hybrids are well developed, but these need improving flow of information to farmers and effective regulation of unscrupulous traders, etc. There are significant changes in terms of seed regulations, management of GM crops and protection of intellectual property. Since all these regulations are mutually enforcing, there is a need for developing institutional capacity for their enforcement, as well as flexibility to learn from the experience for future adaptation. There is a lot of scope for strengthening the seed system of ‘orphan crops’, where there is no participation of the private sector, and the public seed system is facing several resource and i...