An efficient method for the rapid micropropagation of Camptotheca acuminata from axillary buds was established by application of various plant growth regulators. Among various cytokinins, 0.5 mg L-1 BA showed the best performance on shoot multiplication, number average multiple shoots up to 10.8. The propagated shoot cuttings in vitro were elongated on NN basal medium without plant growth regulators. The secondary multiple shoots were induced at the site of initially induced buds. Rooting was induced directly near the base of the shoot on half-strength NN medium containing 0.5 mg L-1 of IBA, whereas high concentration of 1.0 mg L-1 IBA could induce callus at the base of the shoot. The camptothecin content, anticancer compound of the micropropagated plants was contained in various tissues. Camptothecin contents were 1.8 and 2.5 mg g-1 dry weight in stems from propagated in vitro and mother plant, respectively. This result may be used to develop strategies for large-scale propagation of elite C. acuminata trees.
An efficient method for the rapid propagation of Smilax china from axillary buds was established. Plants with thick leafage were selected from Korea native S. china population. Axillary buds of S. china collected from selected plant and were cultured in various culture media (2MS, MS, 1/2MS, WPM, B5 and SH medium). Shoot was induced from axillary bud on MS basal medium after 4 weeks of culture. 1/2MS medium showed a higher growth rate than those of the others, while the lowest shoot growth was obtained in 2MS medium. Among the sucrose concentrations, 5% sucrose was the optimum level for shoots growth from axillay buds. Among cytokinins, 0.5 mg L -1 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) treatment showed the best performance on shoot multiplication, yielding average shoot multiplication forming about 2.4. Rooting was induced directly near the base of the shoot on 1/2MS medium containing with three-auxins α-napthalene acetic acid (NAA), indole acetic acid (IAA) and β-indolebutyric acid (IBA) (0.5 and 1.0 mg L -1 ). The 1.0 mg L -1 IBA treatments induced earliest rooting with maximum of root number and root growth. These rooted plantlets were successfully transferred to pots for 4 weeks hardening process, and were transferred to soil with above 90% survival rate.