IN VITRO MICROPROPAGATION OF PLUMBAGO ZEYLANICA LINN. THROUGH NODALSEGMENT AND LEAF EXPLANTS

Nodal segment and leaf explants of Plumbago zeylanica were cultured on three basal media fortified with different concentrations and combinations of diverse auxins and cytokinins as sole as well as in combinations. For cultured nodal segment, culture medium MS2N.5B (MS+2.0mg.l-1 NAA+ 0.5mg.l-1BA) proved well for higher degree of callus induction (91.69%), while nutrient medium MS2B (MS+2.0 mg.l-1 BA) exhibited higher shoot proliferating efficiency (84.14%). Culture medium MS2B.5N (MS+2.0 mg.l-1 BA+0.5 mg.l-1NAA) produced shoot(s) in higher numbers (11.12) as well as shoot of higher length (7.11 cm). Inoculation medium MS2N (MS+ 2.0mg.l-1NAA) initiated callus in higher proportion (91.12%), however enhanced mrophogenic calli formation (45.58%) and plantlets regeneration were achieved on culture medium MSN.5Td (MS+1.0mg.l-1NAA + 0.5 mg.l-1 TDZ) from cultured leaf disc. In present study, full strength MS medium supplemented with either of IBA or NAA at the concentration of 0.1 mg.l-1 was found to be optimum for exhibiting higher in vitro rooting response i.e. root proliferation, number of roots and root length. Regenerated plantlets were established successfully in the field after hardening with normal phenotypic appearance.