Abstract
Explants of apical meristem collected from two year old Casuarina equisetifolia were cultured on half MS and MS media supplemented with or without auxins (NAA, 2, 4-D and IBA), cytokinins (Kinetin and DAP) and other supplement (activated charcoal) in different dual and triple combinations. MS medium proved superior to half strength MS but several supplementations had an edge over MS Medium. Of these individual conjugations of NAA and 2, 4-D topped the list with maximum per cent of culture showing callus formation (91.6%). However considering growth rating MS media supplemented with 2 mgl-1 of 2, 4-D was brought into sharp focus. In all media where IBA or AC was a constituent, a depression relative to half MS medium in callus formation was discernible. To optimise the medium for shoot regeneration the calli from the previous study were cultured on different media supplemented with BAP (or) kinetin severally and conjointly each at different concentrations. Single supplementation of BAP at a high concentration of 10 mgl-1 and dual combination of the two cytokinins each at higher concentrations of 4 and 5 mgl-1 recorded the maximum per cent of cultures with shoot formation. However considering average number of shoots per explants concurrently the treatment MS + BAP + Kinetin, the later two each at 4 mgl-1 came into limelight.
Keywords