IN VITRO REGENERATION FOR MASS PROPAGATION IN COMMERCIAL SCALE OF MEDICINAL PLANT VITEX NIGUNDO L.

Context: It is necessary to focus on the importance of adopting micropropagation technique for mass propagation of the plantlets in commercial scale as well as conservation and distribution of germplasm. Objective: The present investigation has been designed with a view to establishing protocol of in vitro regeneration of medicinal plant species i,e., Vitex nigundo L (Verbenaceae). Materials and Methods: Shoot tips and nodal segments were used for multiple shoot induction. All explants were cultured on MS medium supplemented with various plant growth regulators. HgCl 2 was used as surface sterilizing agent. For in vitro rooting, individual shoots (3-4 cm) were cut from the proliferated shoot cultures and implanted on half and full strength of MS with different concentrations and combinations of NAA and IAA. The cultures were incubated for 16 h photoperiod at 25 ± 2oC under a fluorescent light. Visual observation of culture was made every week. Data on shoot induction and proliferation and root induction were recorded after three weeks of inoculation and used for calculation. For each treatment 15 explants were used and all the treatments were repeated thrice. Established plantlets were transplanted in earthen pots under natural conditions and the survival rate was recorded. Results : The most effective surface sterilization treatment has been found 0.1 % HgCl 2 for 7 minutes. Highest number of shoot was observed in MS medium supplemented with 3.0 mg/ BAP. It was rooted well in full MS containing 2.0 mg/l IAA. The survival rate was 85 % and propagated plantlets were successfully acclimatized in soil. Conclusion : It was observed that shoot tips are more responsive for micropropagation of Vitex nigundo L . Thus the fruitful utilization of rapid clonal propagation, germplasm conservation and distribution of Vitex nigundo, important medicinal plant of Bangladesh, is possible . Keywords : Vitex nigundo; Medicinal plant; Shoot induction; Micropropagation; Regeneration. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbs.v18i0.8790 JBS 2010; 18(0): 140-145