In vitro seed germination and development of Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. Var. lutea (Willt.) : a step for rehabilitation
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Enhanced in vitro seed germination, seedling development protocol has been established for conservation of very rare and globally endangered woody tree species, Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. var. lutea (Witt.) Fabaceae). It differs from Butea monosperma var.monosperma in presence of ivory- white/ bright yellow flower buds and flowers. The plant seeds very low viability and ex vitro germination rates responsible for its rare and globally endangered status. Mature seeds were cultured on two basic inorganic media with full (F) or ½ strength (H) of MS or WPM supplemented with various concentrations of N6-benzyladenine (BA, 2.22, 4.40, 6.62 and 8.40 μM) or thidiazuron (TDZ, 0.45, 2.27, 4.54, 6.80 μM) alone. Within the range evaluated, highest percentage (65%) of the seed germination (pre-hot water treated for 3 min) was obtained from seeds cultured on MSF medium containing 4.40 μM BA . The same medium has promoted the highest growth of seedling with a mean of 3.57 ± 0.06 cm shoot length and 2.44 ± 0.17 cm root length after 3 weeks of culture. BA at 6.62 μM level in WPMF medium provoked 50% seed germination response. While, TDZ (2.27μM, 0.45 μM) induced 45% and 30% response on WPMF or WPMH medium respectively. The seedlings (90%) of B. monosperma var. lutea readily acclimated to greenhouse conditions. The present investigation for the first time describes an enhanced in vitro seed germination and seedling development protocol for conservation and restoration of B. monosperma var. Lutea.
Keywords : BA; endangered ; in viable seeds ; pre-hot water