Micropropagation and Encapsulation of the Tropical Hardwoods, Corymbia torelliana x C. citriodora and Khaya senegalensis

Establishment of plantations of the eucalypt, Corymbia torelliana × C. citriodora, and the African mahogany, Khaya senegalensis, has been constrained by limited seed supply and low amenability to propagation from cuttings. This thesis describes micropropagation and encapsulation methods for proliferating and storing germplasm of these two hardwoods. The research determined: (1) hormone and nutrient formulations for shoot proliferation; (2) carry-over effects of proliferation treatments on plantlet formation; (3) hormones, nutrient formulations, temperatures, pre-acclimatisation treatments and nursery substrates for shoot regrowth from capsules or plantlet formation from synthetic seeds; and (4) media for maintaining explant viability during long-term capsule storage.Submitted in the fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Sunshine Coast, 2011