An Efficient Protocol for Callus Induction in Aquilaria malaccensis Lam. Using Leaf Explants at Varied Concentrations of Sucrose

Aquilaria malaccensis Lam. (Family: Thy melaeaceae), co mmonly known as agarwood, eagle wood or Gaharu is a co mmercially important tree species of northeast India. The Aquilaria tree is categorised as critically endangered in Ind ia. This species is being continuously exploited due to its precious heartwood which is the source of expensive agar oil used in the production of high grade perfu mes as well as in trad itional medicines. The main aim of this study was to establish a speedy callus production protocol fro m Aquilaria malaccensis which may serve as an important option for direct extraction of agar o il. For this purpose, large scale p roduction of callus tissue is needed. An efficient callus regeneration protocol was established through leaf pro liferation in Aquilaria malaccensis Lam. using Murashige and Skoog mediu m supplemented with least amount of plant growth hormones (2,4 D, NAA, Kinetin & BAP) at varied concentrations of sucrose (2-5%). Callus could be initiated in all the treat ments of hormones and sugar levels; however, the best callus growth was obtained in the MS med iu m supplemented with BAP (0.5 mg/l) + NAA (3mg/l) g iving the h ighest fresh (7.368g) and dry cell b io mass (2.170g) at the optimu m sucrose concentration (4%) after 45-60 days of incubation.