&ITTectona grandis&IT L. f. MICROPROPAGATION FROM PREEXISTING MERISTEMS

Teak (Tectona grandis) is a tropical forest tree introduced from India and highly appreciated in Colombia due to rapid growth and wood quality. However, massive production of clonal planting material is still a limiting factor. In vitro propagation allows clonally propagate superior adult plants with higher multiplication rates, genetic stability and sanity. In the present research the effect of different BAP levels (0.0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 mg L-1), supplied on MS semisolid medium, on multiplication of explants with pre-existing meristem isolated from adult plants was evaluated. Treatments were distributed with a CRD and te crops maintained at 25 degrees C with 12-hour photoperiod. Plant survival after transferring on sand or peat was also evaluated under shade house conditions. A NOVA showed that BAP supply increased shoot multiplication. The addition of auxin is necessary and sufficient for in vitro rooting of micropropagated shoots of teak, while its level increases in proportion to the dose of AIB. Plants had higher survival to 90% in both substrates.