In vitro Propagation of Leucas biflora (Vahl) Sm. - A Vulnerable Medicinal Herb

Abstract

A rapidly well-developed in vitro regeneration system has been established for Leucas biflora using nodal segments as explants and MS medium supplemented with various concentrations and combinations of plant growth regulators (PGR_S). MS medium containing 2.0 mg/l BAP and 0.5 mg/l NAA showed the highest response (95.99%) in induction of shoot buds. This media combination also produced the maximum number (11.20 ± 0.49) of multiple shoot bud per explant after 3 subcultures at an interval of 14-days. Microshoots showed the maximum elongation (4.70 ± 0.07 cm) in the same medium along with subcultures. These elongated shoots were further grown on rooting media, producing vigorous and healthy root systems. The best response (95.99 ± 1.63%) for rooting was obtained when half-strength MS medium was supplemented with 0.5 mg/l IAA + 0.5 mg/l IBA in 21 days of culture. In this combination, the average number and length of roots were 5.20 ± 0.33 and 4.80 ± 0.30 cm, respectively. The seedlings were removed from culture tubes and transplanted into the pots via several stages of acclimatization. Finally, 98% of the seedlings were found to survive under natural condition.

Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 34(1): 49-54, 2024 (June)