Abstract

This is the first report of somatic embryogenesis and synthetic seed production in Angelica glauca, a valuable medicinal plant of Himalaya. Somatic embryogenesis protocol was developed using leaf explants from newly sprouted rhizomes. Mature leaf explants were inoculated in Murishige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 3 µM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) induced 86% callus. Calli (0.5 g) subcultured into different concentration of 1-napthaleneacetic (NAA) and 6- benzylaminopurine (BA) either alone or in combination produced globular structure and their differentiation. NAA (2 µM) in combination of BA (2 µM) germinated 2.2 shoots per culture in 8 weeks time. Plantlets when transferred into sand, soil and peat moss (1:1:1) ratio were found suitable for acclimatization and 75% plantlets survived. Somatic embryos were put into a combination of 3% (w/v) sodium alginate and 100 µM calcium nitrate for 30 min for protecting the somatic embryos and the production of synthetic seeds. Experiments on the evaluation of synthetic seeds are under progress.

Key words: Himalaya, Angelica glauca, somatic embryogenesis, synthetic seed.