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

Aquilaria malaccensis Lam. (Family: Thymelaeaceae), commonly known as agarwood, eagle wood or Gaharu is a commercially important tree species of northeast India. The Aquilaria tree is categorised as critically endangered in India. 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 perfumes as well as in traditional medicines. The main aim of this study was to establish a speedy callus production protocol from Aquilaria malaccensis which may serve as an important option for direct extraction of agar oil. For this purpose, large scale production of callus tissue is needed. An efficient callus regeneration protocol was established through leaf proliferation in Aquilaria malaccensis Lam. using Murashige and Skoog medium 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 treatments of hormones and sugar levels; however, the best callus growth was obtained in the MS medium supplemented with BAP (0.5 mg/l) + NAA (3mg/l) giving the highest fresh (7.368g) and dry cell biomass (2.170g) at the optimum sucrose concentration (4%) after 45-60 days of incubation.