The First Tissue Culture in Dalbergia melanoxylon: Problems and Limitations

The first attempt dared on Dalbergia melanoxylon tissue culture was conducted from 2010 to 2013 in
the Botany Laboratory University of Dar es Salaam. A total of 500 seeds were sterilized at different
concentration of reagents and inoculated at different strength of the Murashige and Skoog medium for
germination to obtain disease free explants for callus induction trials. A total of 400 nodal segments
obtained from germinated seeds were sterilized at different concentration of reagents and inoculated
at different hormonal combinations to induce callus formation for seedling multiplication. Results from
this tissue culture attempt set a foundation for tissue culture success in Dalbergia melanoxylon on the
future research. Only 19.8% of seeds inoculated in half strength of Murashige and Skoog medium
germinated within 7 days while only 6.8% of seeds inoculated in full strength germinated within 6
days. A total of 1% of inoculated Dalbergia melanoxylon fragments in Murashige and Skoog media
supplemented with hormone combination at 2.0 mg/l BAP + 0.5 mg/l NAA developed callus after16
days from the inoculation day. The final weight of the callus at the last record was 0.62 g. The colour
of callus was green and friable in nature. Other hormonal combinations in this case did not induce
callus. These results suggested that the problems which affect seed germination in the natural
environment are also reflected on germination in the Murashige and Skoog medium and in callus
induction. Vulnerability to fungal attack is a limitation for successful callus induction and germination in
the culture room. More research under improved sterile conditions is needed to improve callus
percentage for seedling multiplication.