Propagation of Sterculia urens Roxb. Using Tissue Culture approaches

Sterculia urens is a moderate size deciduous tree, up to 15m height. The tree usually occurs in dry and rocky forests. The tree yields gum, known as gum karaya which has gained considerable commercial and industrial importance. The gum is also sometimes known as Indian tragacanth, as it is generally resembles gum tragacanth, obtained from Astragalus species. The natural propagation of the tree is through seeds. However seed germination decreases as the time progressess. AT the same time commercial tapping of the tree for gum also made this species endangered. Hence one must show grave concern about the species. The present study was focused on different tissue culture methods to propagate the plant on large scale.