International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences

ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 2 Number 7 (2013) pp. 56-62

Micropropagation of Heliotropium keralense - a globally endangered and endemic medicinal plant through indirect organogenesis from roots

Delse P. Sebastian1 and Molly Hariharan2

1Post Graduate and Research Department of Botany, St:Albert s college ,Kerala India, 682 018 2Department of Botany, University of Calicut, Kerala, India -672 635 *Corresponding author e-mail: delsbotany@gmail.com

A B S T R A C T

An efficient protocol was established for rapid micropropagaion and conservation of Heliotropium keralense from root explants. Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium supplemented with 2,4-D (0.5 mg/l) and 2 i P (4.0 mg/l) was the most effective combination for the induction of callus from roots. MS medium supplemented with BA (3.0 mg/ l) and IAA (0.5mg/l) was the most suitable combination for callus regeneration. MS medium supplemented with 0.5mg/l IBA was most effective for rooting of shoots. Plantlets with fully expanded leaves and well-developed roots were hardened under controlled conditions for 20 days and eventually established in the field. Morphologically there was no detectable variation between in vitro raised and naturally grown plants.

Keywords

Micro- propagation; indirect organogenesis; Heliotropium keralense.