A protocol for micropropagation of highly economically important tree Tamarindus indica is presented. Significantly more number (18.4) of shoots were induced from cotyledonary nodes derived from 15-days old aseptic seedlings on L2 medium (1979) with benzyladenine (BA) followed by thidiazuron (TDZ) supplement (sequential application). Culture of explants on BA or TDZ, BA + TDZ (combined application) or on TDZ followed by BA supplemented L2 medium yielded less number of shoots when compared to sequential use of BA followed by TDZ. Addition of GA3 (0.5 mg l^-1) had showed positive effect in increasing frequency of shoot regeneration and shoot number. Shoot regeneration on media with kinetin, isopentenyladenine (2iP) or zeatin was significantly lower when compared to sequential use of BA and TDZ.
Proliferating shoot culture was established by repeatedly subculturing original cotyledonary nodes on shoot multiplication medium (BA to TDZ) after each harvest of newly formed shoots. About 90.0% of the shoots developed roots following transfer to quarter-strength L2 medium with 1.0 mg l^-1 indole-3-acetic acid. Eighty percent of the plantlets were successfully acclimatized and established in soil.

 

 

Abbreviations: AS - Adenine Sulphate, BA - Benzyladenine, IAA - Indole-3-acetic acid, GA3 - Gibberellic acid, IBA - Indole-3-butyric acid, 2iP - 2-isopentenyl adenine, NAA - α-Napthalene acetic acid, TDZ - Thidiazuron.