ABSTRACT
An accelerated protocol for large-scale propagation of Dendrocalamus asper, an edible bamboo, has been described. Seven axillary shoots were induced in vitro from each excised tender node (15-20 mm in length) containing single axillary bud when nodal segments were inoculated in semisolid Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium fortified with 5 mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). Maximum multiple shoot formation (14) was observed when in vitro generated axillary shoots were transferred to liquid MS medium containing 5 mg/l BAP and 40 mg/l adenine sulphate. A maximum of 93.33 % shoots were effectively rooted when transferred to liquid MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/l indole-3-biutyric acid (IBA). A simple acclimatization procedure of 55 days, primarily in cocopeat for 20 days and finally in a blend of sand, soil and farm yard manure (1:1:1 v/v), ensured a very high survival rate within next 35 days. After acclimatization, rooted plantlets were further multiplied by splitting of rhizomes, formed in vivo within 90 days of growth. After 90 and 180 days of acclimatization, plants were successfully transferred to the field and maintained in an unirrigated condition with the initial supplementation of farm yard manure @ 10 kg/pit; where around 85 % survivability with 25 culms per bush attaining an average height of 4.5 m was recorded up to four years.
