African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12487

Full Length Research Paper

In vitro multiplication of the semi-arid forest tree, Balanites aegyptiaca (l.) Del.

Mansor Ndoye1, Ismaïla Diallo2 and Yaye Kène Gassama/Dia1
  1Laboratoire de biotechnologies, Département de Biologie Végétale, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université Cheikh Anta Diop Dakar, B.P. 5005, Dakar, Sénégal. 2ISRA-DRPF, Route des Pères Maristes, B.P. 2312, Dakar, Sénégal.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 28 October 2003
  •  Published: 30 November 2003

Abstract

 

Procedures were developed for micropropagation of Balanites aegyptiaca using axillary bud explants obtained from mature trees. Cultures were established in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2.5 mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.1 mg/l naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). The effects of kinetin on shoot growth and proliferation in vitro was also investigated. Results show that shoot multiplication required 2.5 mg/l of BAP. Shoot length was significantly affected by the presence of BAP or 6-furfurylaminopurine (Kin). Rooting of shoots in vitro was achieved on MS medium containing 20 mg/l of the auxin, indolebutyric acid (IBA). Rooted shoots acclimated and were successfully transferred into soil, with 48% of the plantlets surviving.

           

Key words: Balanites aegyptiaca, micropropagation, rooting.