In vitro regeneration and plant establishment of Tylophora indica (Burm. f.) Merrill:: Petiole callus culture

A protocol has been developed for high-frequency shoot regeneration and plant establishment of Tylophora indica from petiole-derived callus. Optimal callus was developed from petiole explants on Murashige and Skoog basal medium supplemented with 10 mu M 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid +2.5 mu M thidiazuron (TDZ). Adventitious shoot induction was achieved from the surface of the callus after transferring onto shoot induction medium. The highest rate (90%) of shoot multiplication was achieved on MS medium containing 2.5 mu M TDZ. Individual elongated shoots were rooted best on half-strength MS medium containing 0.5 mu M indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). When the basal cut ends of the in vitro-regenerated shoots were dipped in 150 mu M IBA for 30 min followed by transplantation in plastic pots containing sterile vermiculite, a mean of 4.1 roots per shoot developed. The in vitro-raised plantlets with well-developed shoot and roots were successfully established in earthen pots containing garden soil and grown in a greenhouse with 100% survival. Four months after transfer to pots, the performance of in vitro-propagated plants of T. indica was evaluated on the basis of selected physiological parameters and compared with ex vitro plants of the same age.