CLONAL PROPAGATION OF CAROB (CERATONIA SILIQUA L., FABACEAE)

Mature seeds of carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L) were germinated on hormone free MS medium Efforts were made to develop multiple shoots by using axillary buds of to vitro grown seedlings on MS medium fortified with different concentrations of BA singly and BA in combination with IAA or GA(3). Axillary buds produced single shoot with a moderate amount of callus at the base of the explant after culturing on MS medium with BA alone Multiple shoots were regenerated when explants when cultured on MS medium fortified with BA + IAA or BA + GA(3) MS medium supplemented with 1 5 mg/l BA + 0.5 mg/l GA(3) was found more effective in multiple shoot regeneration than all other combinations Regenerated multiple shoots were excised and cultured on half strength of MS medium containing different concentrations of IBA for root induction. Best toot development was obtained in half strength MS medium containing 0.5 mg/l IBA About 70% of the regenerated plantlets survived in natural conditions