Washa B., Washa2020-11-292020-11-292020-09-14Current Research Trends in Biological Science Vol.4. 2020. The First Tissue Culture in Dalbergia melanoxylon: Problems and LimitationsDOI: 10.9734/bpi/crtbs/v4http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11810/5512The problems which affect seed germination of D.melanoxylon in the natural environment are also reflected on germination in the Murashige and Skoog medium and in callus induction. Vulnerability to fungal attack is a limitation for successful callus induction and germination in the culture room.The first attempt dared on Dalbergia melanoxylon tissue culture was conducted from 2010 to 2013 in the Botany Laboratory University of Dar es Salaam. A total of 500 seeds were sterilized at different concentrations of reagents and inoculated at different strengths of the Murashige and Skoog medium for germination to obtain disease-free explants for callus induction trials. A total of 400 nodal segments obtained from germinated seeds were sterilized at different concentrations of reagents and inoculated at different hormonal combinations to induce callus formation for seedling multiplication. Results from this tissue culture attempt set a foundation for tissue culture success in Dalbergia melanoxylon on the future research. Only 19.8% of seeds inoculated in half strength of Murashige and Skoog medium germinated within 7 days while only 6.8% of seeds inoculated in full strength germinated within 6 days. A total of 1% of inoculated Dalbergia melanoxylon fragments in Murashige and Skoog media supplemented with hormone combination at 2.0 mg/l BAP + 0.5 mg/l NAA developed callus after16 days from the inoculation day. The final weight of the callus at the last record was 0.62 g. The colour of callus was green and friable in nature. Other hormonal combinations in this case did not induce callus. These results suggested that the problems which affect seed germination in the natural environment are also reflected on germination in the Murashige and Skoog medium and in callus induction. Vulnerability to fungal attack is a limitation for successful callus induction and germination in the culture room. More research under improved sterile conditions is needed to improve callus percentage for seedling multiplication.enDalbergia melanoxylon; tissue culture; callus induction; explants; murashige and skoog; dared.Book chapter