Micropropagation of mature Chinese tallow tree (Sapium sebiferum Roxb.).

An in vitro propagation technique based on axillary bud proliferation has been developed for matureSapium sebiferum trees. Nodal segments cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with benzyl adenine (1-10 μM and α-naphthaleneacetic acid (0-0.5 μM showed axillary bud proliferation. Shoots proliferated in vitro were multiplied on Murashige and Skoog medium containing 2.5 μM benzyl adenine and 0.25 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid. Seasonal changes affected the shoot proliferation potential of the initial explant. Shoots were rooted on a half-strength, growth-regulator-free, agar-gelled, MS medium after a 48-h treatment on half-strength MS liquid medium with 10 μM indole-3-butyric acid. Rooted plantlets were potted and acclimatized in a growth chamber and then moved to the greenhouse. Four-month-old plants were transplanted to the field.