High-frequency induction of multiple shoots and plant regeneration from cotyledonary node explants of Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma Longifolia Jack)

• Main Authors: Alttaher, Annor Gebril Annour, Balia Yusof, Zetty Norhana, Mahmood, Mahmmod Basher, Shaharuddin, Noor Azmi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Applied Ecological Research and Forensic Institute 2020
• Online Access: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/89188/1/ABSTRACT.pdf; http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/89188/; http://www.aloki.hu/indvol16_5.htm
• Institution: Universiti Putra Malaysia

Eurycoma longifolia Jack is traditionally used as an aphrodisiac and health supplement for various diseases. Due to its potential commercial value as a plantation crop as well as to conserve its germplasm, it is necessary to establish a suitable protocol of propagation as a better alternative for mass production. Hence, this study describes an efficient and reproducible in vitro regeneration system of E. longifolia. Cotyledonary node explants were excised from 2-week-old in vitro seedlings and cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations of 6-benzyl aminopurine (BAP), kinetin (KIN) and thidiazuron (TDZ). In addition, various concentrations of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and α- naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) were tested for in vitro rooting of shoots. From the results, it was observed that 1.0 mgL-1 of BAP induced the highest percentage of shoot formation (76.7%) from cotyledonary node explants. The best rooting response was observed on half-strength MS medium containing 0.5 mgL-1 IBA with an average of 3.2 roots per shoot. Regenerated plantlets were successfully acclimatized to ex vitro conditions with an 85% survival rate. Overall, this in vitro regeneration protocol provides a rapid technique that can be utilized for commercial propagation and genetic transformation of this medicinal plant.