Author(s): Anbudass Sasi Bhararthi, Ramachandran Raja Selvam and Leon Stephan Raj

Abstract: Plant biodiversity conservation may benefit greatly from in vitro propagation. In a given area, rare plants have a significant role in the vegetation. The anthropogenic load from building, grazing and ploughing land, as well as the poor competitiveness of the plant species in phytocenosis, are the main causes of the uncommonness of some plants in a given location. Low seed germination or vegetative reproduction, relict species, ripped regions, severe weather, and being consumed by animals and birds are other factors that affect the spread of uncommon plant species. According to the IUCN Red List – 2022, red sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus) are classified as endangered. This study developed a micropropagation protocol using shoot tip explants for In vitro-grown trees. Various plant growth regulators (BAP, Kinetin, TDZ and GA₃) were added to MS media containing surface-sterilized explants at doses ranging from 1 to 10 µM, both separately and in combinations. Within a week, the majority of the explants developed friable callus, with browning brought on by phenolic exudation. Certain treatments resulted in limited shoot regeneration. MS + BAP (2 µM) + TDZ (0.5 µM) was the most successful medium for shoot multiplication, yielding three shoots per explant. Multiple shoots were likewise produced by BAP (6 µM) by itself and BAP (1µM) + GA₃ (0.5 µM) combos. Shoot development was improved by the addition of 5% coconut milk. While adjustment is required to overcome phenolic compound constraints for increased regeneration effectiveness, the lays the groundwork for micropropagation of this endangered species.

DOI: 10.22271/flora.2025.v13.i6b.1054