CALLUS INDUCTION AND CYTOLOGY OF VULNERABLE TREE SPECIES DIOSPYROS CANDOLLEANA WIGHTN.R. Anvitha, R. Vinuthashree and Shobha JagannathAbstract In recent years over exploitation, habitat loss, encroachment, illegal felling and other human activities had made a drastic changes and decline of biodiversity which has led to loss of valuable plant species. It is our prime responsibility to give priority for the conservation of species and to keep the Biodiversity under balance. In the present study a vulnerable tree species, Diospyros candolleana of the family Ebenaceae has been selected for the conservation purpose through tissue culture techniques. A protocol for callus induction from leaf explant has been standardized with the aim of reducing the rate of contamination. MS medium supplemented with individual and combinations of plant growth regulators were used to study the effects on callus induction viz., 2, 4-D, Zeatin, Kinetin, BAP, NAA and Indole acetic acid. For callus proliferation it took approximately 2 months and callus were subcultured frequently. 2, 4-D, Zeatin, NAA showed callus induction; while combination of Zeatin and BAP with 2, 4-D showed profuse callus. Among these the rate of callus induction is comparatively more in media supplemented with 1 mg/l 2, 4-D (individual growth regulator) and the combination of 2, 4-D + Zeatin and BAP. |