RAPID PROPAGATION OF TUNA (OPUNTIA-FICUS-INDICA) AND PLANT ESTABLISHMENT IN SOIL

Explants from young joints of mature plants of tuna (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill.) were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 8.8 mu M benzyladenine (BA) and 0.5 mu M naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Shoots produced were utilized as secondary explants. Each shoot was cut longitudinally from apex to base into two explants, and some of these explants were cut transversely into proximal and distal explants. The size and number of shoots produced was affected by size and position of the explant within its source. The shoots were rooted in vitro or ex vitro and plants were successfully established in soil from both rooting methods.