Micropropagation ofBauhinia vahlii Wight & Arnott - a leguminous liana.

Anin vitro propagation protocol for a leguminous liana,Bauhinia vahlii, has been established. In the first experiment, cotyledonary nodes fromin-vitro-germinated seedlings were cultured on various basic media (Murashige and Skoog medium, Woody Plant medium, B5, and 1/2 Murashige and Skoog medium) containing 1.0μM thidiazuron. Shoot proliferation (96.20%) and multiplication (5.55 shoots/explant) was best when cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium. The second experiment compared responses to benzylaminopurine, kinetin, zeatin and thidiazuron. Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 1.0μM thidiazuron proved most effective for both shoot proliferation and shoot multiplication. The effect of cytokinin type and concentration and their interaction was found to be significant (P<0.001) for explant proliferation, shoot number and length. Subsequent rooting (55.14%) of the regenerated shoots was achieved on half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with IμM 1- naphthaleneacetic acid. Successful transfer of regenerants to soil has been accomplished, and efforts are being made to gradually transfer them to field conditions.