Planta Med 2003; 69(1): 83-86
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-37035
Letter
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

In Vitro Mass Multiplication and Production of Roots in Plumbago rosea

K. Satheeshkumar1 , S. Seeni1
  • 1Plant Biotechnology Division, Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, Palode- Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
Further Information

Publication History

Received: April 17, 2002

Accepted: September 7, 2002

Publication Date:
04 February 2003 (online)

Abstract

Mass multiplication of Plumbago rosea was achieved by indirect organogenesis in young stem, leaf and root explant cultures of 6 - 9-month-old plants. All the explants responded similarly in a hormonal regime of 2.5 mg/L BA and 1.5 mg/L NAA with the formation of nodular callus in 4 weeks; the callus was divided and subcultured at 4-week intervals in the presence of 3.0 mg/L BA to produce up to 23.5 ± 1.6 shoots in 18 weeks and then at 2.0 mg/L BA to produce up to 79.6 ± 1.5 shoots in 23 weeks. The shoots of 2.0 - 3.5 cm length were rooted easily in half-strength MS agar medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/L IBA and rooted plants established within 4 weeks at a 95 - 98 % rate without hardening. Eight weeks after establishment, the micropropagated plants were transferred to experimental plots and cultivated for 10 months to obtain a significantly higher number (18.0 ± 0.5) of larger tuberous roots (137.4 ± 3.4 g fw/plant) compared to conventional rooted cuttings (14.0 ± 1.7, 47.9 ± 1.6 g fw/plant). During this period, the concentration of the root-specific compound, plumbagin recorded per g dw (1.5 %), was higher than that of conventionally propagated plants (0.9 - 1.0 %). The early formation of plumbagin-rich tuberous roots holds significant potential for the commercial cultivation of the micropropagated plants.

Abbreviations

fw:fresh weight

dw:dry weight

2,4-D:2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid

KN:Kinetin

NAA:α-naphthaleneacetic acid

BA:benzylaminopurine

IBA:indole 3-butyricacid

IAA:indole 3-aceticacid

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K. Satheeshkumar

Plant Biotechnology Division

Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute

Palode - Thiruvananthapuram

695 562 Kerala

India

Phone: +91-472-869226/869626

Fax: +91-472-869646

Email: moon012@reddifmail.com