Fruits of Garcinia indica, a medicinally important tree species from Western Ghats of India is a rich source of medicinally important (-) Hydroxycitric acid that shows anticholesterol and antiobesity activities. Since this species is polygamodioecious, sex of the plant can be identified only after flowering that takes approximately 7-8 yrs. From commercial and horticultural point of view, plantation of female trees is much preferred. In this study, an efficient protocol for propagation of female plants was developed using in vitro techniques. For establishment of sterile cultures, fungal contamination and browning of explants were the major hurdles. Season of plant material collection and culture vessels used for in vitro sprouting were also observed significant factors in establishment of sterile cultures. The use of WPM basal fortified with 2% sucrose and 8.87 µM BAP resulted maximum sterile and healthy buds. TDZ in the range 0.22 4.54 µM along with BAP induced multiple shoots. Highest 63% rooting was obtained on WPM medium with 4.90 µM IBA whereas, maximum 60% plantlets survived in green house after their transfer to soil.
Key words: Garcinia indica, Clonal propagation, medicinal plants.
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