Growth Response of Explants of Irvingia Gabonensis (O'rorke, Baill) to In Vitro Treatment

Growth response of explants of Irvingia gabonensis to in vitro treatment was investigated using full, half and one quarter strength mineral components based on Murashige and Skoog medium. Plant growth regulator (kinetin-Kin) with concentration levels of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5mg/l were used for shoots initiation, while axillary formed shoots were rooted in various concentration levels of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5mg/l of indole butyric acid (IBA). One quarter strength growth medium containing 3mg/l kinetin, which supported the highest growth performance was used to study the effect of explant source and number of leaf primordia on shoot initiation of the species. Shoot length of axillary bud explant significantly (P<0.05) increased in one quarter strength medium than those of half and full strength media. Axillary bud explants with 1-2 leaf primordia gave optimum response in terms of regeneration frequency and coefficient of velocity of bud burst. High regeneration frequency and coefficient of velocity of bud burst with low percentage contamination were recorded by seedling and stump sprout explants. This study suggests that axillary bud explants of Irvingia gabonensis can respond to in vitro treatment under optimum culture conditions.