XVI International Botanical Congess

Multi-purpose plants used in the Transkei region of the South Africa such as Strelitzia nicolai, Cyphia elata, Rhoicissus tomentosa, Urtica urens, Rubus pinnatus, Coccinea palmata and Raphanus nasturia aquatica that have a potential of being over-utilized were tested for in vivo and in vitro propagation. Most of the plants used responded to the in vitro culture by producing callus or shoots and roots through direct organogenesis. Pretreatment of scarified seeds of Rubus pinnatus and Strelitzia nocolai with 10mg/l GA induced germination in vitro. Leaves and stems used for callus was successful from explants such as Coccinea palmata, Urtica urens, Raphanus nasturtio aquatica, Cyphia elata and Rubus pinnatus using MS culture medium with BAP, NAA, IBA and Kn at different concentrations. The best response (multiple shoots) was observed on a medium containing 2.0mg/l BAP + 0.5mg/l NAA + 0.05mg/lIBA.