Tissue Culture Investigation of Elaeocarpus tuberculatus—a highly valued Rudraksha

The therapeutic, spiritual and ornamental attributes of E. tuberculatus (vern. Rudraksha, family Elaeocarpaceae) made it highly valuable species of South East Asian region especially Himalayas in India and the Nicobar Islands. Its propagation through seed vegetative propagation have not shown very encouraging results and being an endangered species, attempts are being made for its multiplication through tissue culture. In the present study, multiplication of shoots, through axillary bud proliferation of mature nodal explants has been tried.In vitro axillary bud proliferation occurred on MS medium supplemented with 0.5–1.0mg/l BAP and shoot multiplication cultures were maintained on MS medium supplemented with 0.5mg/l each of BAP and Kn.In vitro callus formation has been noticed on 2,4-D supplemented MS medium, which is being continued further to induce organogenesis.