Improved in vitro shoot multiplication and rooting of Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Nees et Arn. Ex Munro: production of genetically uniform plants and field evaluation

An efficient in vitro regeneration protocol and field performance of a multipurpose bamboo species Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Nees et Arn. Ex Munro has been demonstrated using single node cuttings taken from the lateral branches of a 20-year-old bush. Axillary buds on the nodal explant sprouted within 10 days of culture on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium without any plant growth substance. High-frequency proliferation was induced on the propagules (small clusters with 3-5 multiple shoots and rhizomatous portions). Subsequent removal of the shoots (about 1.5 cm) from the rhizomatous portion of propagules (shoot cut) influenced the plantlet formation capacity. A multiplication of about 20-folds was achieved on MS medium supplemented with 8 mu M BAP and 1 mu M NAA. Rooting efficiency was also markedly enhanced (> 90%) when the propagules, following shoot cut, were placed on to MS medium supplemented with 100 mu M IBA for 10 days and then transferred to IBA-free medium. This is the first report from this species where 20-fold increment in multiplication was observed at the end of second subculture followed by > 90% rooting. The hardened plants, established in the field, exhibited normal growth; their physiological performance has been monitored at 6-month intervals. The rate of photosynthesis increased from 3.55 mu mol CO2 m(-2) s(-1) (hardened, ready for field transfer) to 5.44 mu mol m(-2) s(-1) (6 months of field transfer); following a year of plantation net photosynthesis recorded was 14.0 mu mol CO2 m(-2) s(-1) while after 1.5 years it was 12.76 mu mol CO2 m(-2) s(-1). These values were compared with those observed for the mother bush. Genetic fidelity of these regenerants was established by RAPD analysis advocating clonal propagation of this species through nodal segment culture and its commercial cultivation.