Abstract
In the present study, a strategy was developed to describe the regeneration process in nodal explants of Bauhinia tomentosa to overcome the adverse effect of phenolics during different seasons and to identify the most suitable type of medium. To minimize the effect of phenolics, nodal explants were pretreated with Polyvinylpyrrolidon or Ascorbic acid, cultured on MS or WPM supplemented with different concentrations of cytokinin either singly or in combination with auxin. High frequency multiple axillary shoot regeneration was achieved on MS medium supplemented with 5.0 mu M BA, 0.5 mu M NAA and 50 mal(-1)adenine sulphate, where the maximum number (12.0 +/- 1.37) of shoots and their length (5.7 +/- 0.20 cm) was observed within 6 weeks of culture. The explant collection time also played an important role in establishment of cultures. The growing season March - June was found best for culture establishment. For rooting, shoots were excised from proliferating cultures and cultured individually for root induction in liquid MS medium supplemented with chlorogenic acid and IBA using a filter - paper bridge. Within 4 weeks, optimum rooting was achieved in 70% of shoot cuttings with 5.0 M chlorogenic acid and 2.5 mu M IBA. In addition, histological study was undertaken to gain a better understanding of the regenerated shoot buds.