Efficient Protocol for the in Vitro Cloning of Zizyphus mauritiana L.

Conventional way of cloning is applicable to Zizyphus mauritiana species with 65% ischolar_maining branch cuttings treated with auxins. When rapid and large scale cloning of selected germplasm considered, the method was found unsuitable as it imposed extensive damage to valuable elite stock. Other drawbacks such as time consuming, slow and seasonal influences on ischolar_maining, etc. also limited extensive application of this technique, (Bajaj, 1986; Tiwari, 1992; Harry and Thorpe, 1994). Selection and rapid multiplication of ‘elite’ tree using micropropagation can produce stands which produce higher yields. Further selected varieties/strains which produce uniform, heavy crops of large sized seeds with maximum oil and alkaloid can be cloned to increase yield.