In Vitro Propagation in Dracaena

Axillary shoot tips of Dracaena fragrans and D. deremensis were successfully proliferated on MS medium containing 0.5 mg/1 NAA + 2.0 mg/1 BAP. Effect of sucrose (20 to 60 g/1), light irradianee (25 to 65 p mol m⁻² s^−l) and culture vessel size (conical flask or baby food jar) was studied individually on shoot proliferation rate upto 5 subcultures. Sucrose at 40 g/1, light intensity of 65 µ mol nr⁻² s⁻¹ (16/8h) and 250 ml conical flasks, were found to be optimal for shoot proliferation. Shootlets transferred to half strength MS medium containing 0.5 or 1.0 mg/1 IB A gave best rooting. More than 95 per cent survival of in vitro rooted plants was achieved when hardened in jam bottles containing peat + soilrite (1:1, v/v).