Micropropagation of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.)

Abstract: An efficient protocol has been developed for in vitro propagation of rambutan through tissue culture. Embryonic plants as well as multiple shoots were developed from seed explants cultured on Schenk and Hildebrandt (SH) basal medium supplemented with NAA (0.5 mg l^-1 ) and BAP (1 mg l^-1 ). The multiple shoots were separated and subcultured on the same media. Callus initiation with somatic embryoids were generated from the excised cotyledons that were cultured on SH medium supplemented with 1 mg l^-1,4-D whereas direct somatic plantlets were developed from the excised cotyledons cultured on SH medium supplemented with 1 mg l^-12,4-D and 0.25 mg l^-1BAP. Regenerated plantlets with well developed shoots and roots were successfully transferred to soil. This system could be utilized for biotechnological applications and also in generating variability. This is the first report on in vitro propagation of rambutan.