In-Vitro propagation of Garcinia indica Choisy from seedling explants

Garcinia indica, endemic to Western Ghats is a multipurpose tree of high priority for conservation. Garcinia (kokum) fruit is viewed as a Wonder berry and is known for its food, medicinal and commercial value. In vitro propagation, an ex situ conservation strategy, provides new means for conservation and mass propagation of economically important plants. The aim of the present study was to examine the main aspects of in vitro culture initiation and propagation of Garcinia indica, an endemic wild plant species. Successful initiation of tissue culture of garcinia was achieved from immature seeds. Germination was best achieved on half MS supplemented with 1.5mg/l GA3. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP) 3 mg/l along with Naphthalene acetic acid 0.5 mg/l produced shoots from the nodes within 4-5 weeks. Repeated and periodic sub culturing yielded better growth and further multiple shoots on the same medium. In vitro rooting was obtained on the half strength MS agar gelled medium supplemented with 2g/l activated charcoal 0.5mg/l NAA+1.5mg/l indole-3-butyric acid. The micro propagated plantlets were successfully acclimatized with survival rate 70%.