Induction of Direct Organogenesis in Aquilaria microcarpa Baill. Using Shoot Explants

Aquilaria microcarpa BailI. is a tree species from family Thymelaeaceae. It is one of the tree species producing agarwood which is highly demanded commercially. Agarwood is a fragrant wood utilized as incense, perfume and medicinal product. Illegal poaching and over-exploitation have led to rapid declination of this species. Thus, mass propagation of A. microcarpa is needed for large scale planting. The objective of present study was attempted to establish a micropropagation protocol for A. microcarpa. Shoots tips from two years old seedlings were left in running water for one hour, dipped in 70% ethanol for 30 seconds, surface sterilized with 15% Clorox® added with 'Tween 20' for 15 minutes with gentle agitation and subsequently soaked in the various fungicides for different exposure times. The explants were cultured in WPM supplemented with or without biocide and antibiotic of several concentrations. The axenic explants were then cultured on WPM supplemented with BAP alone or in combination with IBA. Most of the shoot tip explants sprouted shoots or shoot-like-structures within two months of culture. The explants started to elongate within two weeks after initiation of cultured. Medium supplemented with 3.0 mglL BAP was most effective to induce shoot proliferation for this species. However, medium supplemented with 3.0 mglL BAP and 1.0 mgfL IBA was failed to induce shoot multiplication although it elongated the shoots