African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 5 (9), pp. 723-726, 2 May 2006   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2006 Academic Journals        

Full Length Research Paper

In vitro multiplication of Ocimum gratissimum L. through direct regeneration

C. Gopi*, Y. Nataraja Sekhar and P. Ponmurugan

Department of Biotechnology, K. S. Rangasamy College of Technology, Tiruchengode - 637 209, Namakkal District, Tamilnadu. INDIA.

*Corresponding authors E-mail: gopidurai@yahoo.com.

Accepted 11 April, 2006

The objective of this study was to develop a rapid system for regeneration of the important medicinal plant, Ocimum gratissimum L, from nodal explant. Single node explants were inoculated on basal MS (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) medium containing 3% (w/v) sucrose, supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), kinetin (KN), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) or indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) for direct plant regeneration. Maximum numbers of shoot (14.3±1.5) were observed on the medium containing 0.5 mg/l BAP and 0.25 mg/l IAA after four weeks of culture. Regenerated shoots were separated and rooted on same half strength MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l of IAA alone for three weeks. Well-developed complete plantlets were transferred on to specially made plastic cup containing soilrite. Acclimatized plantlets were successfully grown in garden soil.

Key words: Ocimum gratissimum L., node explants, multiplication, direct regeneration, plantlets.