PROPAGACIÓN IN VITRO DEL NIM {Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) MEDIANTE BROTES AXILARES

Abstract

The neem tree (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) is an important species because of its uses in both forestry and as bioinsecticide source. Propagation of neem via tissue culture has been investigated by severa! authors. The majority of these studies sh0wed that culture protocols were based on organogenesis. In this study were used apical parts around 1 O centimeters long, from juvenile plantlets grown in nursery conditions. The explants that were used in this research were axillary buds and nodal segments, which were washed with destiled water and desinfected with 70% alcohol and 2.5% chloride at different time intervals. After desinfection the explants were washed using a solution of cistein (50 mg/L) to avoid their oxidation, and placed on a MS basal medium, supplemented with 30 g/L sucrose and 6- benzylanimopurine (BAP) or 6- furfurilaminopurine (KIN), at two different concentrations (2 and 3 mg/L). These supplements were used alone or combined with napthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The best result (3.2 node/shoot) was showed in the treatment where the medium was supplemented with 3 mg/L of BAP. However the culture medium for root development in shoot explants was MS medium without hormones. Rooted plants were transferred to ex vitro condition and after the acclimatization period, showed the same characteristic than mother plants.