title: Clonal propagation of Enset (Ensete superbum (Roxb.) Cheesman) through shoot tip cultures.
abstract: The morphogenetic potential of the shoot tip explants ofEnsete superbum (Roxb.) Cheesman, a wild relative of the cultivated bananas, was investigated and an effective clonal propagation method devised. Shoot tip explants grown in modified MS medium containing 1.5 mg l(-1) BAP and 1 mg l(-1) KIN developed corms which on transfer to medium containing 3 mg l(-1) IBA and 1.5 mg l(-1) BAP, regenerated a large number of shoots from the surface of the corm, the origin of which was traced to single hypodermal cells. Shoots were rooted on a half-strength MS medium salts containing 3 mg l(-1) IBA and 0.1 mg l(-1) BAP. The rooted plantlets were hardened and planted in the field where the plants looked normal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, University of Calicut, 673 635, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Mathew
authors.forename: V J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Philip