Micropropagation of lasora (Cordia myxa Roxb.)

A protocol for in vitro propagation of lasora (Cordia myxa Roxb.) was standardized using nodal segments. Single node segments, prepared from the new vegetative shoots, were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium supplemented with 2.0, 4.0 and 6.0 mgl⁻¹ kinetin and BAP alone or in combination with 0.01 mgl⁻¹ NAA. The best response (93.6%) was observed with 4.0 mgl⁻¹ kinetin. The regenerated shoots from nodal segments were excised aseptically and transferred onto the rooting medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l each of NAA and IBA along with 750 mgl⁻¹ activated charcoal was found superior (90.6%) over the other hormonal combinations for rooting response. Inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi during ex vitro hardening stage resulted in higher survival (97%) and improved growth of micro-propagated lasora plantlets.