Using the sterilization technique outlined above, 90% contamination free explants were obtained of which 60% survived the sterilization pressure. Conditioning media, prepared in test tube, was included in the procedure to transfer clean explants onto initiation media (Figure 2b). Four nodal segments were cultured per jar in initiation media. After 45 days the two nodes produced 6 - 8 nodes. Inclusion of GA3 facilitated the upright growth of the node with increased inter-node length. Differential response was obtained by using different levels of BAP combined with Kin or NAA. Significant difference (p < 0.0001) was obtained among treatments for multiple shoot initiation from each explant. After the first subculture, 45 days, an average number of 3.42 to 4.17 shoots that can easily be separated and cultured on fresh media (Figure 2c) were produced for the above mentioned hormone combinations (Table 1). However, clearly separated and fully grown multiple shoots were mainly observed when 1mg/L BAP alone was used (Figure 2d). There was no significant difference for multiple shoot induction between hormone free media and media supplemented with 2 or 3 mg/L of BAP combined with different levels of NAA (0.5, 0.75, 1.0 and 1.5 mg/L). This attributed to the tendency of more number of tiny multiple shoot production at early stages which eventually develop callus through time, especially after the first subculture when high level of BAP and Kin was used. This result is concurrent with results obtained by Geeth and Sheety (2000), George and Ravinshaker (1997) and Kalimuthu et al (2006) of induced multiple shoots by combining BAP with Kin and NAA.