Abstract:
The aim of this study was to optimize the in vitro propagation and rooting of elite Melia volkensii Gürke clones. The effects
of auxins, trans-cinnamic acid, and silver thiosulfate (STS) were assessed. The genotype response to rooting was tested with
the four best treatments on six clones. Melia volkensii shoots were successfully rooted at 98.9% from using a modified woody
plant medium supplemented with 3.0 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). The addition of IBA to the medium resulted in an
increased number of roots per shoot. The highest average number of roots per shoot was 8 in the media with 2.0 μM IBA
without STS, compared to 8.9 roots per shoot in the medium with 3.0 μM IBA and 0.02 M STS. The most effective medium
for producing the longest roots was a woody plant medium containing IBA or indole-3-acetic acid. Adding silver thiosulfate
to the rooting media reduced shoot callusing during rooting. Compared to other treatments, trans-cinnamic acid induced the
development of roots with numerous secondary roots. There was a significant clone effect on rooting. All clones’ maximum
numbers of roots were associated with the medium containing 3.0 μM IBA and 0.02 M STS. The findings of this study will
enable mass propagation and planting of elite M. volkensii and encourage molecular breeding efforts
