A tissue culture technique for rapid propagation of Dracaena cambodiana Pierre ex Gagnep.

The apical buds of Dracaena cambodiana and its stem with axillary buds were used as explants to establish a tissue culture and regeneration system.Different combinations of plant growth regulators,viz.,6-BA(3.0-5.0 mg/L) and NAA(0.2,0.5 mg/L)were added to MS medium for induction of adventitious buds.6-BA(3.0 mg/L) and NAA(0.2 mg/L) were added to MS and modified MS medium(supplying element N,P,K) to induce the multiplication culture of cluster buds.Furthermore,1/2MS medium with 0.5 mg/L NAA and 0-1.0 mg/L IBA was used to conduct the rooting culture of cluster buds.The results showed that MS medium containing 6-BA(3.0 mg/L) and NAA(0.2 mg/L) was found to be the best for the induction of adventitious buds,and the best medium for the multiplication of cluster buds was modified MS medium con-taining 3.0 mg/L 6-BA and 0.2 mg/L NAA for 3.8 of multiplication coefficient.The optimal medium for rooting was 1/ 2MS+NAA 0.5 mg/L+IBA 0.4-0.6 mg/L which obtained 100.0% rooting rate.The plantlets acquired new roots in one week after transplantation(in pot culture containing 60.0% pond mud and 40.0% river sand) with more than 90.0% survival rate.Currently,this technique is being used for large scale commercial production of Dracaena cambodiana plantlets.