IN VITRO PROPAGATION OF PLUMBAGO INDICA L. THROUGH DIRECT ORGANOGENESIS

Abstract

Plumbago indica is a medicinal plant belonging to family Plumbaginaceae. It is widely used in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Homeopathy and also in unmodified ethnic preparations of the rural folks. In this study, reliable protocols were developed for direct organogenesis via nodal and inter nodal segments. Different concentrations of BAP were tested for shoot bud induction from nodal segments and among them MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/L BAP gave highest mean number of multiple shoots (3.40 ± 0.91) while MS medium supplemented with 3.0 mg/L BAP gave highest mean shoot length (2.41 ± 0.21 cm). Multiple shoot buds induced from inter nodal segments were cultured on different concentrations of GA3 and BAP. Out of different concentrations, best medium for shoot elongation (1.03 ± 0.45 cm) was MS medium supplemented with 4.0 mg/L GA3. Highest mean number of roots (26.53 ± 8.21) and highest mean root length (2.49 ± 0.31 cm) were recorded in half MS medium supplemented with 0.4 mg/L IBA. Plantlets showed 100% survival percentage in jiffy palates and 90% survival percentage when transfer to pots filled with top soil : compost (1:1) mixture. Stem cuttings that have treated by dipping in 0.25 mg/L IBA solution for fifteen minutes and dipped in water for 15 minute before covering cutting edges with 0.3% IBA powder were shown 100% of survival while control has shown 80% survival. Conventionally propagated (stem cuttings) has higher growth rate, early flowering and higher fresh (56.90 ± 11.19 g) and dry root weight (17.33 ± 3.15 g) when compare with same age tissue cultured plants.