J. zyxwvutsrqponm Plant Biochemistry & Biotecbnology Vol. zyxwvutsrq 11, 125-1 27, July 2002 Short Communication An efficient zyxwv In Vitro Method for Mass Propagation of Salvadora persica via Apical Meristem Sujata Mathur*, Gyan Singh Shekhawat and Amla Batra Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur zyxwv 302 004, India A rapid clonal propagation system has been developed for medicinally potent tree species - Salvadora persica via single step through apical meristem. Shoot tips (1 cm) were inoculated on MS medium incorporatedwith 17.8 pM benzyladenineand 18.6 pM kinetin along with activated charcoal (0.3%).The shoot tips grew fast (4 cm) within 7 days alongwith well developed roots on the same medium.Thus, the present investigation demonstrates the complete regenerationof Salvadora persicaplants via single step. Such reproducible protocol could be used for the productionof virus-free plantlets in quicker time. Key words : Salvadorapersica, shoot tip, clonal propagation, single step. Salvadora persica L (Salvadoraceae) is a slow growing, much branched, evergreen shrub or tree occurring in dry and arid regions as well as in saline lands and coastal areas (1,2). It is a medicinally as well as economically potent plant species as it contains several metabolites- salvadoricine, salvadourea, di-benzyl thiourea, rutin, quercitin, trimethylamine, thioglucoside. potash, chlorine (3). Besides, it also produces a non-edible oil which is used in soap manufacturing. The most prominent medicinal property is applicability in dental care.The root bark is used as toothbrush to strengthen the gums and in reducing toothache (4,5). Moreover, the plant is very reliable in curing several diseases like rheumatism, scurvy, leprosy, gonorrhoea, headaches (6). The plant also serves as fodder for camel and is suitable for agroforestry (7). Besides, its immense p.otentials there are some limitations in propagation of this potent plant species, as it is cross pollinated plant showing high degree of genetic variability. At the same time seed viability is very low (30%) (8). In view of the medicinal and economical utility of the plant and its limitation in propagation, it becomes imperative to establish a suitable and reliable protocol for micropropagation. Hence, an excellent model system for rapid mass propagation of Salvadora persica plantlets via single step using shoot apices was developed. 'Corresponding author Abbreviations : BA, bemyladenine; Kn, kinetin, MS,Murashige & Skoog's: SD, Standard deviation. The stock plants of Salvadora persica were grown from seeds collected from JNV University, Jodhpur. Shoot tip segments (1 cm) were excised from two-year-old stock plants, washed with running tap water for 20-30 min, treated with teepol for 5-6 min, washed with sterile distilled water four times, immersed in 0.1% HgCI, for 4-5 min and were thoroughly washed in sterile distilled water for four times. The shoot tip explants were raised in Murashige & Skoog medium (9). The medium was supplemented with different concentrations of benzyladenine (BA; 0.44, 2.22, 4.4, 8.9, 17.8 pM) or kinetin (Kn; 0.46, 2.32, 4.60, 9.30, 18.6 vM), alongwith activated charcoal (0.1 -0.5%), sugar (3.0%) and congealed with 0.8% agar. All treatments had ten replicates and repeated thrice. The medium was adjusted to pH 5.8 before autoclaving. In each culture tube/bottle one shoot tip was implanted. The cultures were incubated at 25rt2"C under a 16 h photoperiodprovided by cool white fluorescent light (3000 lux). After 15 days, elongated shoots with well developed roots were obtained on the same medium. The regenerated plantlets were transferred to sterile pots containing a mixture of soil and vermiculite (3:l). During first week, the potted plantlets were covered with inverted glass beakers to provide high humidity and irrigated after 24 h with a solution containing MS salts at half strength. Transplantation success was 60-70%. Subsequently, the plantlets were transferred to the garden soil and after one month they were planted in the field for establishment in natural conditions. Shoot tips cultured on MS basal medium supplemented with different concentrations of BA showed