Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute, G.B. Marg, Bhavnagar-364 002
Nodal explants of Atriplex nummalaria gave rise to multiple shoots when cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium (M S) supplemented with different concentrations of benzylaminopurine (BAP) and kinetin (KN). BAP (0.5 mg/L) was found better for multiple shoot formation. Roots were induced when shoots were placed on MS media supplemented with indole butyric acid (IBA) at 5 mg/L concentration. Sea water dilutions (176.2 to 345.1 me/L) to the MS medium did not inhibit multiple shoot formation and shoot elongation. However, at 517.7 and 690.4 me/L sea water concentrations, shoot elongation was inhibited. Na+ and Cl− ion accumulation was more in off shoots grown in saline medium. ATPase activity increased with addition of sea water to the shoot proliferation media. Higher ATPase activity in saline cultures is attributed to its involvement in Nad excretion through trichomes which is evidenced by the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Micro Analyser (EDAX) studies.
