IN VITRO CULTURE AND PROPAGATION OF<i>ACACIA</i>SPECIES<i>(A. BIVENOSA, A. HOLOSERICEA, A. SALICINA, A. SALIGNA</i>AND<i>A. SCLEROSPERMA</i>)

Abstract

SUMMARY Node, internode and phyllode explants from Acacia bivenosa, A. holosericea, A. salicina, A. saligna and A. sclerosperma were cultured on a solidified Murashige and Skoog medium with combinations of auxin (indole-3-acetic acid or indole-3-butyric acid) and cytokinin (6-benzylamino purine). Callus developed on all explant types of each species, with limited regeneration of roots from A. holosericea phyllodes and shoots from A. holosericea and A. salicina internodes. Axillary shoot growth occurred from nodal explants of all species and, with the exception of A. sclerosperma, these shoots developed roots on a medium containing 1.8 mg-1 indole-3-butyric acid. A procedure for rapid microprogation of A. salicina by the production of branched multiple shoots is reported, including transfer to in vivo conditions.