In vitro Propagation of Elite Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) of Gangetic Plain with High Azadirachtin Content
S. K. Roy
Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Botany, Bose Institute, 93/1 APC Road, Kolkata -700009, India
B.C. Pal
Medicinal Chemistry Section, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4 Raja SC Mullick Road, Kolkata-700032, India
P. D. Ghosh *
Cytogenetics and Plant Biotechnology Research Unit, Department of Botany, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, Nadia-741235, West Bengal, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
In vitro propagation protocol of an elite Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) plant having high Azadirachtin content has been standardized. Elite Neem was identified after resource survey analysis of plants from six districts of West Bengal having three different soil types, which revealed variation of Azadirachtin content in seeds. Attempts were made to correlate morphological and soil parameters with Azadirachtin content. The study revealed that edaphic factors like soil type and pH contributed more for Azadirachtin content than morphological parameters.
Keywords: Azadirachta indica, Azadirachtin, Micropropagation, Soil parameters