Abstract

In vitro studies carried out on five species of rattans (canesCalamus spp.) is reported here. Cultured embryos of all the species developed into plantlets an a hormone free medium whereas multiple shoots developed on media containing the cytokinin, kinetin and the auxin 2, 4-D. Shoot tip explants from one year old seedlings also were induced to produce multiple shoots. Organogenesis through callus was obtained from embryos cultured on auxin containing media shifted to media containing lower levels of auxin along with cytokinins. Direct organogenesis and shoots formation occurred from the base of in vitro leaves of C. andamanicus cultured on media containing PEG(20) and transferred to a mixture of vermiculite and sand (1: 3) survived and were established in soil