Full Length Research Paper

Micropropagation of superior eucalyptus hybrids FRI-5 (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn x E. tereticornis Sm) and FRI-14(Eucalyptus torelliana F.V. Muell x E. citriodora Hook): A commercial multiplication and field evaluation

I. D. Arya², Sudhir Sharma¹* Sudhir Chauhan¹ and Sarita Arya²

¹Tissue Culture Discipline, Botany Division, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun (Uttarakhand)-248006-India.

²Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding Division, Arid Forest Research Institute, Jodhpur (Rajasthan)-342005-India.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: sudhirfri2007@gmail.com. Tel: +919927832700.

Abbreviations: BAP, 6-Benzylaminopurine; NAA, α-naphthalene acetic acid; IBA, indole-3- butyric acid; MS, Murashige and Skoog’s (1962)  medium; DBH, diameter at breast height.

Accepted 31 August, 2009

   Abstract

Micropropagation protocols for multiplication of highly important Eucalyptus hybrids have been achieved. Two Eucalyptus hybrids namely as FRI-5 (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn x Eucalytpus tereticornis Sm) and FRI-14 (Eucalyptus torelliana F. V. Muell x Eucalyptus citriodora Hook) selected for micropropagation using nodal segments as explants from the mature trees (30 - 32 years old) for the two hybrids. These Eucalyptus hybrids were produced by Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, in the early 1960 - 70 through controlled crossing. These are available in limited number and need multiplication true to type for field - testing to ascertain its superiority under varied agro - climatic conditions. These hybrids showed 3 - 5 superior in terms of total biomass and wood volume when compared to their parents. Clonal cultures were established and multiplied on MS medium supplemented different concentration of BAP either alone or in with combination of auxins i.e. IBA/NAA. MS medium was found to be effective and suitable for all the experiments during plant production. 85 - 92% rooting was achieved on half strength MS medium supplemented with IBA. 90 - 98% of the plantlets survived hardening and acclimatization prior to field transfer. Parameters like height, DBH, clear bole length and self pruning capability of both the hybrids were recorded up to three years to identify the suitability of these hybrids in different varied climatic zones of Uttarakhand.

Key words: Eucalyptus hybrids FRI-5 and FRI-14, field testing, diameter at breast height, micropropagation.