Explores tissue culture option for two threatened tree species

Green Ahalia has been working on ex situ conservation of two threatened tree species Syzygium palghatensis a Critically Endangered species and Elaeocarpus gadgilii reported from Nelliyampathy recently. We could locate the species in wild and to our dismay no regeneration is observed. We are engaged in vegetative propagation trials using branch cuttings which gave good sprouting but not rooting. To ascertain the influence of the season, we are repeating the trials every other month. Further to this Green Ahalia has been in touch with a Bangalore based Biotech company – Bangalore Horti Tech and sought their help to multiply the species using Tissue Culture technology. Sabik has visited them along with necessary Ex plants and attempted the propagation. Sri Nabas Khan MD of the company and Mr. Sahfeeq are liberally helping us in this venture. We are keeping our fingers crossed for positive results and there by saving the species for survival.