XVI International Botanical Congess

Acacias, called the saviour trees of arid zones, are of immense value to mankind. Acacia tortilis (Forsk.) Hayne of the subfamily Mimosoideae is a valuable multipurpose tree. Due to poor in vivo germination of its seed, in vitro propagation has been achieved via juvenile explants. About 1 to 1.5 cm long cotyledonary nodes excised from 15-day old in vitro raised seedlings were cultured on modified MS medium supplemented with various cytokinins viz BA, KN, 2ip individually in in combinations ranging in concentration from 0.1-3 mg/l. Maximum shoot production (95%) with an average of 3.01±0.9 shoots per explant was obtained on modified MS medium with 2mg/l BA after 60 days of culture. Half strength MS with 2mg/l I BA proved optimum and cent percent shoots developed long healthy roots. Seven days exposure to dark proir to 16 hours photocycle was essential for root induction. In vitro regenerated plants have been successfully transferred to soil.