Clonal propagation of rice through proliferation of axillary shoots

Summary Shoot base segments have been explanted from seedlings of rice (Oryza sativa L. subsp. Japonica, cv. Arborio) and grown on agar-solidified MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of four cytokinins: kinetin, BAP, 2iP and zeatin. After one month, segments were explanted from proliferated shoots and subcultured on their respective media. BAP was by far the most effective in inducing shoot proliferation. Highest rates were achieved at the higher concentration used: 5 mg 1^–1. Shoot base segments were subcultured fifteen times consecutively on seven different concentrations of BAP. Shoots grown in the presence of 5 mg 1^–1 of BAP proliferated an average of 12 normal shoots for each base segment throughout the fifteen subcultures. The shoots rooted easily on hormone-free medium. The technique does not require any particular skill, it is very effective and, therefore, can be suggested as suitable for clonal propagation of rice.