Large scale propagation of an exotic edible bamboo, Phyllostachys pubescens Mazel ex H. De Lehale (Moso Bamboo) using seeds

For ex vitro propagation, seeds of P.pubescens were treated with different concentrations of gibberellic acid (GA3) and germination of seeds was tested both in plastic pots as well as by direct sowing in the nursery beds. Maximum seed germination was achieved when treated with 200 mgL^-1 (w/v) GA3. For in vitro propagation, an exposure of nodal explants from in vitro raised seedlings to 0.2 mgL^-1 1-phenyl-3-(1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl) urea and 1 mgL^-1 kinetin supplemented medium for 30 days and thereafter to hormone free Murashige and Skoog basal medium resulted in axillary shoot proliferation. For rooting, in vitro raised shoots were exposed to MS medium containing 2 mgL^-1 indole-3-butyric acid for 15 days and then shifted to hormone free medium. On an average, 2.8 shoots were obtained in 75% of the cultures within 4 weeks. Such in vitro raised plants were successfully hardened and shifted to field conditions.