MULTIPLE SHOOT BUD FORMATION IN SHOOT TIP CULTURE OF AN OIL YIELDING PLANT: NIGER (GUIZOTIA ABYSSINICA CASS.)

Formation of multiple shoot bud from shoot tip culture of an oil yielding plant Guizotia abyssinica Casst have been studied for the first time. The significance of this work is that rapid multiplication of G. abyssinica Cass, plant can be made by tissue culture technique. The shoot-tip of Guizotia abyssinica Cass. was obtained from seedlings grown in vitro condition on Murashige and Skoog's medium (MS).Shoot multiplication was optimal from half shoot apices cultured on MS medium with 0.1-30 mg ml of BAP. Auxin inhibited multiplication and promoted callusing.