Micropropagation of Raisin Tree (Hovenia dulcis Thunb.) Through Axillary Bud Culture

Clonal propagation in vitro of raisin tree (Hovenia dulcis Thunb.) was achieved using axillary buds from mature trees and young plants. Explants cultured on Murashige-Skoog’s medium with 1/3 of the original salt concentration, supplemented with 0.5 mg l^-1 BAP and 0.5 mg l^-1 IAA, showed proliferation of new shoots in 4-5 weeks. Adventitious shoot proliferation was also stimulated in subsequent subcultures in the presence of BAP. The shoots rooted when transferred to 1/3 Murashlge and Skoog’s medium with 0.1 mg l^-1 of IBA. Plantlets thus formed were successfully transplanted to the field after a short acclimatization period.