Influence of explant source on the in vitro propagation of jack (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.)

Abstract

Physiological ago of the explants exhibited significant influence on the in vitro propagation of jack. Shoot apices from the seedlings registered a multiplication rateof17.4x, with 100 percent rooting and 6.0 roots formed in 20.75 days. Explarits from fresh stem-sprouts of five, ten and thirty-year old trees recorded shoot multiplication rates of 4.50x, 2.80x and 2.09x, respectively in five weeks. The corresponding rooting percentages were 70 (with 5.43 roots formed in 13.43 days), 40 (with 2.59 roots formed in 24 days) and 15 (with 1.0 root formed in 46.7 days) after two to three subcultures. Explants from six-month old jack grafts failed to produce multiple shoots; but exhibited 50 per cent rooting with 2.0 roots formed in 20.5 days.