Auxin and nutritional stress coupled somatic embryogenesis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oldenlandia umbellata</Emphasis> L.

Somatic embryos were induced from internodal segment derived callus of Oldenlandia umbellata L., in MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D). Initially calli were developed from internodes of microshoots inoculated in 2.5 µM NAA supplemented medium. Then calli were transferred to 2,4-D added medium for somatic embryogenesis. Nutritional stress coupled with higher concentration of 2,4-D triggered somatic embryogenesis. Nutritional stress was induced by culturing callus in a fixed amount of medium for a period up to 20 weeks without any external supply of nutrients. Addition of 2.5 µM 2,4-D gave 100% embryogenesis within 16 weeks of incubation. Callus mass bearing somatic embryos were transferred to germination medium facilitated production of in vitro plantlets. MS medium supplemented with 2.5 µM benzyl adenine and 0.5 µM α-naphthalene acetic acid produced 15.33 plants per culture within 4 weeks of culture. Somatic embryo germinated plants were then hardened and transferred to green house.