505MULTIPLICATION THROUGH MERISTEM PROLIFERATION IN AN ETHANO-MEDICINAL PLANT OF ARID ZONES- MESWAKClonal multiplication is a complicated process aiming at the production of plant breeding true-to-type, in larger number, in lesser time and disease free. Conventional breeding programmes rely primarily on the seeds for the production of plants. However, some seeds contain viruses internally which results in extensive loss of seed quality and their yield. Hence, to overcome this loss, the technique of meristem tip culture was developed, which has been successfully used in elimination of viral pathogens as well as for germ plasm conservation and in exchange of genetic material. At the same time, in vitro plant propagation is stimulated by axillary bud development, which exploits the normal ontogenic route for branch development by axillary meristems. Salvadora persica L. is a ethno medicinal plant which is used as a therapeutic agent for a variety of diseases. Moreover, various research works have proven its uses apart from its ethno medicinal onessujata_mathur14@yahoo.co.inResearch592014Salvadora persica,Meswak,Toothbrush tree,Meristem culture,Shoot tipsSujata Mathur,Amla BatraDept. of Botany, BBD Govt. P.G. College, Chimanpura, Shahpura, Jaipur – 303 103, India,Dept. of Botany, BBD Govt. P.G. College, Chimanpura, Shahpura, Jaipur – 303 103, India