Abstract

A protocol has been developed for in vitro shoot multiplication and plant establishment ofCaralluma adscendens var. attenuata. Aseptic seedlings raised on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium were used as a source of explants. Among different seedling explants cultured on different basal media, nodal explant on MS basal medium supplemented with BA 2 mg/L gave best shoot regeneration frequency. Nodal explants cultured on MS basal medium supplemented with BA 2 mg/L + 2iP 0.5 mg/L produced an average of 4.56 shoots. Microshoots were rooted on half strength MS basal medium with and without plant growth regulators. The best rooting occurred on semisolid half strength MS basal medium containing 0.6% agar and 0.1 mg/L NAA. The plantlets developed were hardened and established in natural soil with 73% survival rate.

Key words: Micropropagation, conservation, in vitro shoot multiplication, Caralluma adscendens var. attenuata.

Abbreviation

Abbreviations: IAA, Indole-3-acetic acid; IBA, indole-3-butyric acid; Kn, kinetin; MS,Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium; NAA, naphthalene acetic acid; TDZ, Thidiazuron;2-iP, 2-isopentyladenine; 2,4-D, 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid.