In vitro propagation of Lagerstromia parviflora Roxb. from adult tree.

A micropropagation protocol based on axillary bud proliferation has been developed from mature Lagerstromia parviflora adult tree. Nodal segments cultured on woody plant medium supplemented with 5.0 microl. BAP and 0.25 microm IAA gave maximum (86.9%) morphogenetic response. Proliferated shoots (10.7 per explants) were elongated to 3.9 cm within 6 weeks. In vitro produced micro-shoots were subjected to an IBA treatment (500 ppm for 2 min. dip) and placed under misting conditions for rooting. Misting beds were prepared with sand: soil (3:1) for 80.6% rooting and was acclimatized. Shoot length seems to be important to induce adventitious roots. The highest (91.7%) rooting was recorded on shoots ranging a length between 3.1-4.0 cm. Rooted and hardened plants were later transferred to poly bags and maintained in shadenet house. The protocol has the realizes capacity to produce 260 plants from a single explants within 10 months multiplication cycle.