Response of locust bean tree Parkia biglobosa (Jacq) Benth. explant to growth promoters for micropropagation.

Abstract

Parkia biglobosa, a leguminous savanna species, is a threatened species in some West African countries especially Nigeria, due to deforestation and unsustainable exploitation. To conserve this economically important genetic resource, attempt on its micropropagation was carried out using nodal cuttings of the young stem as the explants. The explants were thoroughly surface sterilized, disinfected and cultured in Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium. About three weeks after inoculation, 95% sprouting was recorded. The new spouts were subcultured into MS medium fortified with varied concentrations (0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00 mg/L) of benzylaminopurine (BAP) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and then transferred to the growth chamber at 27±1 oC. The 0.75 mg/L of BAP produced highest shoot elongation of 3.60 cm while 1.0 mg/L caused shrinkage of the explants in relation to the control (0.00 mg/L concentration). Attempt to root the plantlets with the above-stated concentrations of IBA led to callogenesis and the callus mass increased with the increasing concentration of IBA.