Abstract:
Melicope lunu-ankenda is commonly used in traditional medicine. The conventional propagation
method for this species is inefficient due to low propagation rate and its lengthy period to maturity.
In addition, insufficient planting materials often pose a problem for the plantation sector. The
tissue culture technique is best alternative to overcome the problems. The callus induction and
direct shoot regeneration protocols for M. lunu-ankenda were established. Callus was successfully
initiated from leaves explants cultured in MS medium added with 2,4-D at concentrations 0.5 to
5.0 mg/L singly or in combination with NAA at concentrations 1.0 to 10 mg/L. Shoot was regenerated
from callus in phytohormone-free medium, BAP at concentrations 0.5 - 5.0 mg/L singly or in
combination of BAP with NAA or 2,4-D at concentration 0.5 and 1.0 mg/L, respectively. BAP at 1.0
mg/L induced the highest shoot regeneration rate (80%) and number of plantlet per calli. The established
methods might be used for production of phytochemicals and plantlets in large scale.
