Abstract

An in vitro propagation protocol for an important ethnomedicinal plant, Tylophora indica(Burn.f) Merill has been developed. The effect of 0.5 to 3.0 mg/L benzo[a]pyrene (BAP) alone on in vitro multiple shoot production from leaf explants was studied. The maximum number of indirect regeneration of multiple shoots (7 shoots) was achieved from leaf explants on MS medium enriched with 2.5 mg/L BAP alone. Furthermore, large-scale shoot formation (25 shoots) was achieved by reported sub-culturing of leaf callus on shoot regeneration medium (MS + 2.5 mg/L BAP). The best root induction (97%) was achieved on MS medium enriched with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) (0.5 mg/L). The plantlets were hardened off and more than 95% of survival plants were released to the shade house. The presence of alkaloids in vivo and in vitro samples was clearly detected.   

Key words: Tylophora indica, leaf derived callus, regeneration, morphogenetic.