Improved micropropagation in Polygala myrtifolia

Stem segments from apical shoot tips of Polygala myrtifolia were used as primary explants to establish in vitro cultures. Axillary shoots produced on noncontaminated explants were excised and recultured in the same medium to increase the stock of shoot cultures. Equal molar concentrations of five cytokinins 2-isopentenyladenine (2iP), kinetin, zeatin, N6-benzyladenine (BA) and adenine were tested for ability to induce axillary shoot development from double node stem segments. The highest rate of axillary shoot proliferation was induced on Murashige and Skoog agar medium supplemented with 1.8 M BA. Seven indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) concentrations (2.8, 5.7, 8.6, 11.4, 14.3, 17.1 M) were tested to determine the optimum conditions for in vitro rooting of microshoots. Up to 72 % of the microshoots rooted with 14.3 M IAA. Other auxins tested, -naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), were less effective than IAA in inducing adventitious root formation. All rooted plantlets having more than 3 roots were successfully established in soil.