ABSTRACT:
Axillary bud proliferation is eminent techniques of micropropagation. Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.), is evergreen multipurpose ethno-medicinal tropical tree native to the Indian subcontinent. The tree is linked to the history of the Indian way of life as a symbol of health; and traditionally been used for antiseptic, contraceptive, antipyretic and antiparasitic purposes. The present work aimed to study genetic variation among different populations of Azadirachtaindica A. Juss. (Neem), viz., Raigad, Shahdol, Bilaspur, Chhindwara and Gwalior, for in vitro axillary bud proliferation and nitrate reductase activity, Different parameters of bud break and shoot regeneration on 4 treatments of plant growth regulators that was (0.SuM) 6-Benzylaminopurine, 0.SpM Kinetin, 0.5paM 6-Benzylaminopurine + 0.5 uM Kinetin and without hormone were studied. Effects of PGRS were found to be statistically non-significant. However, Significant variation was observed among the different populations of Neem for sprouting %, number of shoots, number of nodes per shoot and total number of nodes per nodal segment. Raigad population was found to be the best population for almost all the parameters. On comparison against nitrate reductase activity between five different populations of Neem under in vitro and in vivo conditions, the enzyme activity was found to be higher in the in vivo leaves than in in vitro leaves. In conclusion, the variation exists in the in vitro response of different populations of Neem during bud break, culture establishment and nitrogen assimilation.