Micropropagation of simmondsia chinensis (link.)schneider: a review on the regeneration potential of different explants

Micropropagation technique is a powerful tool of biotechnology which can be used in crop improvement and meets the demand for availability of uniform clones in large numbers for economically important crops. Simmondsia chinensis (Link.) Schneider is an oil-yielding, eco-friendly plant of the family Simmondsiaceae. The seed contains a unique liquid-wax about 50-60%of their dry weight which is used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, lubricant industries and treatment for skin cancer and wound healing properties. Propagation of S. chinensis is through seeds, seedlings, stem cutting, grafting and micro propagation technique. Problems in direct seed cultivation in field due to male biased population which have male to female ratio is 5:1. Vegetative propagation via. cutting, grafting have limitation due to seasonal process and difficulty of rooting in S. chinensis. Hence, successful regeneration of plants by micropropagation technique offers excellent opportunities for the improvement of S. chinensis and protocols providing regeneration and multiplication from various vegetative parts of the plants have been tested with varying degree of success. In this review article we have assimilated the recent literature pertaining to the new developments in the field of micropropagation of S. chinensis using different explants such as shoot tip, nodal segment, leaf, immature zygotic embryos, micropropagated shoots for rooting and the effect of various additives on S. chinensis.