African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12481

Full Length Research Paper

Propagation of the African medicinal and pesticidal plant, Securidaca longepedunculata

  Donald Zulu1, Blackson L. K. Thokozani2, Gudeta W. Sileshi3*, Zewge Teklehaimanot4, Dominic S. B. Gondwe2, Viswanbharen Sarasan5 and Philip C. Stevenson5
  1Kasisi Agricultural Training Centre, Kasisi, P. O. Box 30652, Zambia. 2Mzuzu University, P/Bag 201, Luwinga, Mzuzu 2, Malawi. 3World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Southern Africa Programme, Chitedze Agricultural Research Station, P.O. Box 30798, Lilongwe, Malawi. 4School of Environment, Natural Resources and Geography, Bangor University, Bangor, LL57 2UW, United Kingdom. 5Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Surrey, TW9 3DS, United Kingdom.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 07 April 2011
  •  Published: 04 July 2011

Abstract

 

Propagation methods do not exist for Securidaca longepedunculata. In this study,ex vitro and in vitro experiments were conducted to identify simple propagation methods for this species. Ex vitro germination rates did not exceed 43%, whereasin vitro procedures achieved 67 to 90% germination rates. In vitro germinated seedlings produced at least two re-sprouts and consistently showed vigorous growth. Explants cultured on B5 medium supplemented with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 1-naphthalene-3-acetic acid (NAA) successfully produced roots within 4 weeks. It is concluded that germination of seeds, shoot multiplication and rooting ofS. longepedunculata can be improved through appropriate in vitro procedures.

 

Key words: Agroforestry, axillary shoot multiplication, ex vitro germination, gibberellic acid, in vitro propagation.

Abbreviation

B5, Gamborg’s B5 medium; GA, gibberelic acid; IBA, indole-3-butyric acid; 2ip, isopentenyladenine; MS, Murashige and Skoog’s medium; NAA, 1-naphthalene-3-acetic acid; SDICN, sodium dichloroisocyanurate; TDZ, thidiazuron.