Shoot regeneration from cotyledonary leaf explants of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Jatropha curcas</Emphasis>: a biodiesel plant

A simple, high frequency, and reproducible method for plant regeneration through direct organogenesis from cotyledonary leaf explants of Jatropha curcas was developed using Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations of thidiazuron (TDZ) or 6-benzyl aminopurine (BAP). Medium containing TDZ has greater influence on regeneration as compared to BAP. The induced shoot buds were transferred to MS medium containing 10 μM kinetin (Kn), 4.5 μM BAP, and 5.5 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) for shoot proliferation. The proliferated shoots could be elongated on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of BAP, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), NAA, and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). MS medium with 2.25 μM BAP and 8.5 μM IAA was found to be the best combination for shoot elongation. However, significant differences in plant regeneration and shoot elongation were observed among the genotypes studied. Rooting was achieved when the basal cut end of elongated shoots were dipped in half strength MS liquid medium containing different concentrations and combinations of IBA, IAA, and NAA for 4 days, followed by transfer to growth regulators free half strength MS medium supplemented 0.25 mg l⁻¹ activated charcoal. Elongated shoot treated with 15 μM IBA, 5.7 μM IAA, and 11 μM NAA resulted in highest percent rooting. The rooted plants could be established in soil with more than 90% survival rate. The method developed may be useful in improvement of J. curcas through genetic modification.     

Direct shoot regeneration from leaf explants of Jatropha curcas in response to thidiazuron and high copper contents in the medium

Leaf explants of Jatropha curcas cultured on Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium supplemented with thidiazuron (TDZ; 0.90 μM) in combination with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA; 0.98μM) produced adventitious shoot buds directly on the surface of the explants without formation of intervening callus while shoot bud formation was accompanied with callus formation on medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP; 13.3 μM) and IBA (2.46 μM). TDZ treatment resulted in more than twice higher rate of shoot bud induction than BAP. Shoot buds were multiplied and elongated following repeated transfers to medium containing BAP (2.22 μM) and gibberellic acid (GA₃; 1.44 μM). The effect of copper sulphate on differentiation of shoot buds from leaf segments was also investigated. Both shoot induction and multiplication media were supplemented with different levels of CuSO₄ (0–5 μM). Significant improvement in shoot bud induction was observed when the concentration of CuSO₄ was increased to 10 times the normal MS level. Healthy elongated shoots were rooted on half strength MS medium supplemented with IBA (2.46 μM). Rooted plantlets were transferred to field and survived. Histological analysis revealed direct formation of shoot buds from leaf explants.     

High copper levels in the medium improves shoot bud differentiation and elongation from the cultured cotyledons of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Capsicum annuum</Emphasis> L.

The effect of copper sulphate on differentiation and elongation of shoot buds from cotyledonary explants of Capsicum annuum L. cv X-235 was investigated. Shoot buds were induced on medium supplemented with 22.2 μM BAP and 14.7 μM PAA. Elongation of shoot buds was obtained on MS medium containing 13.3 μM BAP + 0.58 μM GA₃. Both shoot induction and elongation media were supplemented with different levels of CuSO₄ (0–5 μM). The levels of CuSO₄ in the induction as well as elongation medium highly influenced the shoot bud formation and their subsequent elongation. Highest number of shoot buds per explant was obtained when the concentration of CuSO₄ was increased 30 times to the normal MS level. Shoot buds formation frequency i.e., the number of shoots formed per explant was increased two fold as compared to those formed on control. Elongation both in terms of percentage and length of shoots was better than that on control. Healthy elongated shoots were rooted on MS medium supplemented with 5.7 μM IAA. Rooted plantlets were transferred to field conditions.     

Control of pattern of regenerant differentiation and plantlet production from leaflet segments of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Azadirachta indica</Emphasis> A. Juss. (neem)

A process with controlled pattern of regenerant differentiation from leaflet segments leading to production of cloned plants of a 40-year-old tree of Azadirachta indica was developed. A two-step procedure was adopted for containing intervening callusing during regenerant differentiation using modified Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, where in the first step the explants were subjected to pulse treatments having higher concentration of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), while in the second step they were cultured in one-tenth of the initial concentrations of BAP. In the present case, simultaneous differentiation of two types of morphogenetic structures, that is, shoot buds and the meristematic nodules was observed. However, differentiation of higher number of desirable regenerants—the shoot buds and a few meristematic nodules, rather than vice-versa could be controlled by increasing both, the concentration of BAP in pulse treatment and the duration of pulse treatment. In the optimum treatment, where the explants were exposed to 8.88 μM BAP and 81.43 μM adenine hemisulphate for 5 days followed by their transfer to 0.88 μM BAP and 81.43 μM adenine hemisulphate, on an average, 17.4 shoot buds and only 1.6 meristematic nodules were formed from a leaflet. On subculturing, the shoot buds developed into shoots, whereas the meristematic nodules produced three kinds of organized structures that too in varied proportions. Multiplication of shoots was sustained in proliferation medium supplemented with 1.11 μM BAP, 1.43 μM indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and 135.72 μM adenine hemisulphate. The isolated shoots were rooted and complete plantlets were transferred to potted soil with 100% survival.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> adventitious shoot organogenesis and plant regeneration from seedling explants of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Albizia odoratissima</Emphasis> L.f. (Benth.)

Epicotyl, petiole, and cotyledon explants derived from 14-d-old seedlings of Albizia odoratissima were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with different concentrations of either 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) solely or in combination with 0.5 μM naphthalene-3-acetic acid (NAA). The percentage of shoot regeneration and the number of shoots regenerated varied significantly depending on the type of explants used, the concentration of plant growth regulators, and the orientation of explants on the culture medium. The best response in terms of the percentage of shoot regeneration was obtained from epicotyls cultured horizontally on MS medium supplemented with 5 μM BAP, whereas the highest number of shoots per responding explant was recorded on medium containing 2.5 μM BAP and 0.5 μM NAA. Successful rooting was achieved by placing the microshoots onto MS medium containing 25 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) for 24 h first, then transferring to the same medium without IBA. Of the various substrates tested, vermiculite was the best for plant acclimatization, as 75% of the plants survived and became established.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> adventitious shoot bud differentiation and plantlet regeneration in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Feronia limonia</Emphasis> L. (Swingle)

Summary In vitro adventitious shoot bud regeneration systems are considered most suitable for Agrobacterium-and biolisticsmediated genetic transformation to obtain transgenic plants. In the present investigation, multiple adventitious shoot buds could be induced directly from Feronia limonia hypocotyl explants inoculated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing different growth regulators. During the initial phase, the hypocotyl segments nearer to the cotyledons responded quickly compared to those closer to the root. The response, however, was comparable in both the segments in subsequent subculture. Of the various cytokinins, 2.22 μM 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) proved to be more effective compared to kinetin (Kn). The two-way interaction of BA and Kn significantly influenced shoot regeneration and contributed the most among the interactions studied. The best response, however, was obtained when 2.22 μM BA and 2.32 μM Kn were combined. Although the effect of auxins like α-naphthaleneactic acid (NAA) combined with cytokinins evoked a significant responsein terns of number of shoot buds, this response did not supersede the effect of combined cytokinins. Vone of the polyamines tested induced shoot buds on hypocotyl segments. Adventitious shoots were multiplied on MS medium containing 2.22 μM BA, 6.96 μM Kn, and 0.05 μM NAA. More than 60% of the shoots produced roots when cultured on medium containing one-quarter strength MS salts, 10% suerose, 0.6% agar, and 7.36μM indole-3-butyric acid. The adventious origin of shoot buds showing continuous vascular connections was confirmed through histological investigations.     

High-frequency plant regeneration from leaf-disc cultures of Jatropha curcas L.: an important biodiesel plant

A simple, high-frequency and reproducible protocol for induction of adventitious shoot buds and plant regeneration from leaf-disc cultures of Jatropha curcas L. has been developed. Adventitious shoot buds were induced from very young leaf explants of in vitro germinated seedlings as well as mature field-grown plants cultured on Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium supplemented with thidiazuron (TDZ) (2.27 μM), 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) (2.22 μM) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) (0.49 μM). The presence of TDZ in the induction medium has greater influence on the induction of adventitious shoot buds, whereas BA in the absence of TDZ promoted callus induction rather than shoot buds. Induced shoot buds were multiplied and elongated into shoots following transfer to the MS medium supplemented with BA (4.44 μM), kinetin (Kn) (2.33 μM), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) (1.43 μM), and gibberellic acid (GA₃) (0.72 μM). Well-developed shoots were rooted on MS medium supplemented with IBA (0.5 μM) after 30 days. Regenerated plants after 2 months of acclimatization were successfully transferred to the field without visible morphological variation. This protocol might find use in mass production of true-to-type plants and in production of transgenic plants through Agrobacterium/biolistic-mediated transformation.     

Plant regeneration through the direct induction of shoot buds from petiole explants of Jatropha curcas: a biofuel plant

An efficient and reproducible method for the regeneration of Jatropha curcas plants has been developed. The method employed direct induction of shoot buds from petiole explants, without the formation of an intervening callus using a Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations of thidiazuron (TDZ). The best induction of shoot buds (58.35%) and the number of shoot buds per explant (10.10) were observed when in vitro petiole explants were placed horizontally on MS medium supplemented with 2.27 µM TDZ after 6 weeks. The induced shoot buds were transferred to MS medium containing 10 µM kinetin (Kn), 4.5 µM 6-benzyl aminopurine (BAP) and 5.5 µM α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) for shoot proliferation. The proliferated shoots could be elongated on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of BAP, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), NAA and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). MS medium supplemented with 2.25 µM BAP and 8.5 µM IAA was found to be the best combination for shoot elongation and 3.01–3.91 cm elongation was achieved after 6 weeks. However, significant differences in plant regeneration and shoot elongation were observed among the genotypes studied. The orientation (horizontal or vertical) and source (in vitro or in vivo) of explants also significantly influenced plant regeneration. The elongated shoots could be rooted on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 2% sucrose, different concentrations and combinations of IBA, IAA and NAA, and 0.25 mg L⁻¹ activated charcoal. Half-strength MS medium supplemented with 2% sucrose, 15 µM IBA, 5.7 µM IAA, 5.5 µM NAA and 0.25 mg L⁻¹ activated charcoal was found to be the best for promoting rooting. The rooted plants could be established in soil with more than 90% survival.     

Rapid in vitro multiplication and plant regeneration from nodal explants of Andrographis paniculata: a valuable medicinal plant

A rapid and efficient method for the large-scale propagation of a highly valuable medicinal plant, Andrographis paniculata Nees, through in vitro culture of nodal explants obtained from 15-d-old aseptic seedling has been developed. High frequency direct shoot proliferation was induced in nodal explants cultured on Murashige and Skoog’s medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). Amongst the various cytokinins tested (BAP, kinetin, thidiazuron and 2-isopentyl adenine), BAP proved to be the most effective. The shoot forming capacity of the nodal explants was influenced by the BAP concentration (1–12.5 μM), and the optimal response was observed at 10 μM BAP, which induced an average of 34 shoots in 94% of the cultures within 4 wk. Significant differences were recorded in terms of average number of shoots per explant (8.6–34.1) among the different concentrations of BAP investigated. Concentrations of all cytokinins tested reach a level that can be considered above the optimum level, as marked by a reduced frequency of shoot proliferation. The multiple shoots obtained on various concentrations of BAP failed to elongate even after transfer to hormone-free MS medium. Elongation of the induced shoots was achieved on MS basal medium supplemented with 1.0 μM GA₃ within 2 wk. A proliferating shoot culture was established by repeatedly subculturing the original nodal explants on shoot multiplication medium after each harvest of the newly formed shoots. The explants retained their morphogenic potential even after three harvests. Therefore, in 90 d, about 60–70 shoots were obtained from a single nodal explant and the nodal explants from primary shoots further regenerated equivalent number of shoots, depicting their high frequency regeneration potential in A. paniculata. Rooting was best induced in 94% of shoots cultured on MS medium supplemented with 2.5 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), within a wk. The plantlets were successfully transferred to soil after hardening with a 92% survival rate. The system is rapid: the initiation of shoot buds to the transplanting of regenerants to soil is completed in 8–9 wk.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> propagation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Capsicum chinense</Emphasis> Jacq.

An efficient micropropagation protocol was established for Capsicum chinense Jacq. cv. Umorok, a pungent chilli cultivar. Shoot-tip explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing cytokinins (22.2–88.8 μM 6-benzylaminopurine, BAP, 23.2–93.0 μM kinetin, Kin, or 22.8–91.2 μM zeatin, Z) alone or in combination with 5.7 μM indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Maximum number of shoots were induced on medium containing 91.2 μM Z or 31.1 μM BAP with 4.7 μM Kin. The separated shoots rooted and elongated on medium containing 2.5 or 4.9 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Axillary shoots were induced from in vitro raised plantlets by decapitating them. The axillary shoot-tip explants were used for further multiple shoot buds induction. A maximum of about 150 plantlets were obtained from a single seedling. Hardened and acclimatized plantlets were successfully established in the soil.     

In vitro differentiation and plant regeneration of Albizia chinesis (Osb.) Merr

Summary Petiolar and distal cotyledonary segments (PCS and DCS) of Albizia chinensis were cultured on Murashige and Skoog's (MS; 1962) medium and induced to form adventitious shoot buds in the presence of either cytokinins 6-benzylamino purine (BAP), kinetin (KN) or thidiazuron (TDZ). Superiority of BAP in inducing shoot bud and differentiation was observed. PCS was more morphogenic to shoot bud differentiation than DCS. TDZ was highly effective in inducing shoot buds, but arrested shoot growth, while KN produced more callus during differentiation of shoots. Rapid and high rate of shoot multiplication per explant was achieved through subculture in MS medium containing BAP (1.0 mg l⁻¹) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) (0.5 mg l⁻¹). BAP at low concentration was required to enhance shoot multiplication and elongation. Successful rooting of regenerated shoots was carried out in a two-step culture procedure in MS media with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) (2.0 mg l⁻¹) and subsequent subculture in IBA-free medium.     

Direct shoot bud induction and plant regeneration in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Capsicum frutescens</Emphasis> Mill.: influence of polyamines and polarity

Direct shoot bud induction and plant regeneration was achieved in Capsicum frutescens var. KTOC. Aseptically grown seedling explants devoid of roots, apical meristem and cotyledons were inoculated in an inverted position in medium comprising of Murashige and Skoog (Physiol Plant 15:472–497, 1962) basal medium supplemented with 2-(N-morpholine) ethanesulphonic acid buffer along with 2.28 μM indole-3-acetic acid, 10 μM silver nitrate and either of 13.31–89.77 μM benzyl adenine (BA), 9.29–23.23 μM kinetin, 0.91–9.12 μM zeatin, 2.46–9.84 μM 2-isopentenyl adenine. Profuse shoot bud induction was observed only in explants grown on a media supplemented with BA (26.63 μM) as a cytokinin source and 19.4 ± 4.2 shoot buds per explant was obtained in inverted mode under continuous light. Incorporation of polyamine inhibitors in the culture medium completely inhibited shoothoot bud induction. Incorporation of exogenous polyamines improved the induction of shoot buds under 24 h photoperiod. These buds were elongated in MS medium containing 2.8 μM gibberellic acid. Transfer of these shoots to hormone-free MS medium resulted in rooting and rooted plants were transferred to fields. This protocol can be efficiently used for mass propagation and presumably also for regeneration of genetically transformed C. frutescens.     

In vitro propagation for the conservation of a rare medicinal plant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Justicia gendarussa</Emphasis> Burm. f. by nodal explants and shoot regeneration from callus

Justicia gendarussa is a valuable medicinal plant and various parts of this plant are pharmaceutically used for the treatment of different diseases. In vitro regeneration of shoot buds was obtained from culture of nodal cuttings as well as shoot regeneration from callus. The nodal cuttings differed in shoot proliferation in terms of percentage of explants that responded and average shoot length with various concentrations (4.4, 8.9, 13.3, 17.7, 22.2 μM) of 6-benzyladenine (BA), kinetin (Kn) and thidiazuron. In all treatments, one shoot was invariably present. Optimum 87% of cultures responded with an average shoot length of 4.4 cm on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 17.7 μM BA. Callus was induced from the mature leaf segments on MS medium supplemented with Kn (4.7, 13.9, 23.2 μM) alone or in combination with 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D; 2.3 μM, 4.5 μM). Optimum callus induction (78%) was obtained on MS medium supplemented with 14 μM Kn and 4.5 μM 2, 4-D. When the callus was subcultured on MS medium fortified with BA (8.9, 17.7, 26.6 μM) or Kn (9.3, 18.6, 27.9 μM) alone or in combination with α naphthalene acetic acid (NAA; 2.7, 5.4 μM), shoot regeneration was obtained. The highest response (92%) was observed on MS medium containing 17.7 μM BA and 5.4 μM NAA. On this medium, an average number of 12.2 shoots were obtained per responding callus. The shoots obtained from callus and nodal cuttings were rooted with a frequency of 73% on MS medium augmented with 9.8 μM indole-3-butyric acid. The rooted shoots were successfully transplanted to soil and sand mixture (1:1) with 90% survival rate. The protocol standardized for shoot proliferation and regeneration in J. gendarussa from nodal cuttings and leaf-derived callus is suitable for micropropagation and conservation of this essential medicinal plant.     

adventitious shoot regeneration from petiole explants of Heracleum candicans wall

Summary A method for adventitious shoot induction from petiole explants of Heracleum candicans is reported. Shoot buds were induced on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 4.4μM 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) and 1.1 μM 2,4-dichlorophen-oxyacetic acid (2,4-D). A wound response in the presence of BA and 2,4-D at the time of culture was necessary for inducing shoot buds. The shoot bud regeneration was significantly influenced by size, type and orientation of explants on the culture medium. These shoot buds developed into 4–5 cm shoots upon transfer to a medium containing 1.1μM BA and 0.5 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The regenerated shoots formed rooted plantlets on MS medium supplemented with 4.9 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). About 15 plants were established in the field for further evaluation.     

An improved plant regeneration system and ex vitro acclimatization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ocimum </Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">basilicum</Emphasis> L.

An efficient, rapid and large scale propagation of a multipurpose herb, Ocimum basilicum through in vitro culture of nodal segments with axillary buds from mature plants has been accomplished. Among the cytokinins, 6-benzyladenine (BA), thidiazuron (TDZ), kinetin (Kin) and 2-isopentenyl adenine (2-iP) tested as supplements to Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, 5.0 μM BA was optimum in inducing bud break. The highest rate of shoot multiplication was achieved on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 2.5 μM BA and 0.5 μM indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) combination. The shoots regenerated from TDZ supplemented medium when subcultured to hormone-free MS medium considerably increased the rate of shoot multiplication and shoot length by the end of third subculture. For rooting, MS medium supplemented with 1.0 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) proved to be better than that supplemented with IAA or α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). The in vitro raised plantlets with well developed shoots and roots were successfully established in earthen pots containing garden soil and were grown in greenhouse with 90% survival rate. Chlorophyll a and b, carotenoids and net photosynthetic rate were measured in leaves during ex vitro acclimatization at 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. Firstly these parameters showed a decreasing trend but subsequently increased after 7 days of acclimatization. These findings indicate that the adaptation of micropropagated plants to ex vitro conditions is more extended in time than generally accepted.     

In vitro organogenesis and plant regeneration from unpollinated ovary cultures of Azadirachta indica

A novel method of organogenesis in neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) from unfertilized ovaries is described. The Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium with 9 % sucrose, 1 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 5 μM 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) was the best for callus induction from unfertilized ovaries. However, further proliferation of callus occurred better on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 μM 2,4-D either alone or in combination with 4.5 μM kinetin. Maximum shoot regeneration (78 %) was observed when calli, induced from ovaries of 4 mm size flower buds and proliferating on MS + 0.5 μM 2,4-D, were subcultured to MS medium containing 5 μM BAP. Histological analysis revealed that 4 mm sized flower bud corresponds to a 2-nucleate stage of embryo sac. The shoots were then multiplied by forced axillary branching on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 μM BAP and 250 mg dm⁻³ casein hydrolysate. The shoots could be rooted on 1/4 strength MS medium supplemented with 0.5 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) at a frequency of 79 %. Cytological analysis by root tip squash preparations revealed that all the plantlets were diploids. These plants were subsequently hardened and established in soil with transplantation rate of 81.8 %.     

Production of triploid plants of papaya by endosperm culture

Triploid papaya (Carica papaya) plants were obtained by immature endosperm culture. Visible callusing of the endosperm occurred 21 days after initiation of cultures. A continuously growing callus was observed and a maximum of 68.7% of callus induction frequency was obtained when immature endosperm with embryo was cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 6.0 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 2.5 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 4.0 μM 6-furfurylamino purine (Kn). Shoot buds were produced when the callus was subcultured on a medium supplemented with 6-benzyladenine (BA) or thidiazuron (TDZ) along with NAA. Shoots were detached from the callus and transferred to the elongation medium supplemented with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and BA. The combination of 3.0 μM IAA and 1.5 μM BA was the best in terms of the number of cultures (93.8%) showing axillary shoot proliferation. The addition of 2.0 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) to the 1/2 MS medium was most effective at inducing root formation with 90% of the shoots developing four to five roots. Healthy rooted plantlets were transferred to pots containing sterilized bed soil and perlite (3:1) mixture in the greenhouse and 78% of the micropropagated plants survived transplantation. The leaves from endosperm-derived plants showed larger stomata and more chloroplasts in guard cells than that from the parent plants. Over 75% of the endosperm-derived plants were triploid with chromosome number 2n = 3x = 27.     

Micropropagation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">eclipta alba</Emphasis> (L.) hassk—An important medicinal plant

Summary An efficient and reproducible protocol for mass propagation of Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk, an important medicinal plant, was standardized by culturing shoot tips and nodal segments taken from in vitro raised plants. Maximum shoot proliferation occurred when the explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1 mg l⁻¹ benzylaminopurine (BAP). The shoot buds formed were further multiplied and maintained on medium containing BAP (0.5 mgl⁻¹) and gibberellic acid (0.5 mgl⁻¹). Rooting was best achieved on MS medium supplement with 1 mg⁻¹ indole-3-butyric acid. Rooted plantlets attained maturity and flowered normally in the field.     

In vitro cloning of Azadirachta indica from root explants

In vitro cultures of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. were raised by first culturing the root segments on modified Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 8.88 μM 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), 9.84 μM N⁶-(2-isopentenyl) adenine (2iP), 5.71 μM indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), 81.43 μM adenine hemisulphate and 2.27 μM putrescine for 2 d followed by their transfer to the same medium except containing one-tenth of the initially used concentrations of BAP, 2iP and IAA. The regenerated shoots sustained proliferation in the basal medium supplemented with 1.11 μM BAP, 1.43 μM IAA and 135.72 μM adenine hemisulphate. The isolated shoots were rooted to produce plantlets in the presence of 2.46 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). The plantlets showed uniform luxuriant growth under field conditions. True-to-type nature of the field-grown root-regenerated plants was ascertained by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis.     

Highly efficient shoot regeneration of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacopa monnieri</Emphasis> (L.) using a two-stage culture procedure and assessment of genetic integrity of micropropagated plants by RAPD

A two-stage culture procedure has been developed for highly efficient shoot regeneration from leaf and internode explants of Bacopa monnieri. Adventitious shoot buds were obtained on the shoot induction medium containing Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) basal salt supplemented with 1.5 mg/l thidiazuron and 0.5 mg/l naphthalene acetic acid; these shoot buds were subcultured on the multiplication (second) medium amended with BAP (benzyl amino purine). Multiplication medium containing 0.5 mg/l BAP produced more shoots (135) and longer shoots (7.8 cm) with more nodes (6). Best response of root induction with more number of roots (16.5) and longer roots (8.7 cm) was observed in half strength MS basal medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l IBA (indole-3-butyric acid) and 0.5 mg/l phloroglucinol. In vitro obtained plants were transferred to the field after hardening with a 100% survival rate. Random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis was carried out using five random primers. The amplification products were monomorphic in micropropagated plants and similar to those of mother plant. No polymorphism was detected revealing the genetic integrity of micropropagated plants.