COPI | Propagation | Seed | Tissue Culture | Sexual | DNA | Nursery Management
Micropropagation of Aquilaria malaccensis is a tissue culture–based method used to mass-produce genetically uniform, disease-free, and high-quality planting materials. This approach is especially valuable for conservation and commercial agarwood plantation programs.
1. Explant Selection
- Source: Young, healthy shoots from elite mother trees (ideally <1 year old).
- Preferred explants: Shoot tips, nodal segments, and axillary buds.
2. Surface Sterilization
- Rinse in running water (15–30 min) to remove debris.
- Dip in 70% ethanol (30 seconds).
- Treat with 0.1% mercuric chloride (HgCl₂) or 1% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) for 5–10 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly (3–5x) with sterile distilled water.
3. Culture Initiation
- Medium: Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium
- Supplements:
- 3% sucrose
- 0.7% agar
- Growth regulators (for shoot induction):
- BAP (6-Benzylaminopurine): 1–2 mg/L
- NAA (Naphthaleneacetic acid): 0.1–0.5 mg/L
- Conditions:
- 25 ± 2°C
- 16-hour photoperiod
- Light intensity: ~2000–3000 lux
4. Shoot Multiplication
- Subculture every 3–4 weeks onto fresh MS medium.
- Use BAP (2–3 mg/L) and KIN (Kinetin, 0.5–1.0 mg/L) to enhance shoot proliferation.
- Multiplication rate: 4–6 shoots per cycle, depending on genotype.
5. Rooting
- Transfer elongated shoots (~3–5 cm) to rooting medium:
- Half-strength MS medium
- IBA (Indole-3-butyric acid) or NAA at 0.5–2 mg/L
- Rooting duration: 2–4 weeks
- Success rate: 60–90%, depending on genotype and auxin concentration.
6. Acclimatization
- Transfer rooted plantlets to sterilized cocopeat, peat moss, or vermiculite in nursery trays.
- Gradually reduce humidity using a humidity dome or intermittent mist system.
- Hardened plants are moved to soil-polybag systems or agroforestry nursery beds.
Applications
- Mass production of elite lines with known sex (if pre-screened).
- Clonal propagation of resin-producing or disease-resistant phenotypes.
- Integration into CBFMA or farm forestry schemes.
- Supports CITES compliance through traceable, nursery-origin stock.