Callus induction in plantain (Plantago major L.) for in vitro production of mucilage

Abstract

Plantago major is a medicinal herb belongs to the family Plantaginaceae. The effects of a range of plant growth regulators and different explants on mucilage production were examined. Root and leaf tissues were used as explants. Murashinge and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2,4-D or Kinetin, at 0.01, 0.1 and 0.5 mg l -1 alone or in combination with IAA 1 mgl-1 for callus induction. Result of analysis of variance showed significant difference between explants for some traits included callus induction rate, fresh weight, and callus diameter. Also, significant differences were observed between media for callus induction, callus diameter, fresh weight, dry weight, relative water content of callus, mucilage harvest index and mucilage yield. The best response was observed from root segments on MS medium containing 0.8 mg/l 2,4,D and 0.1mg l -1 kinetin in some traits included callus diameter, fresh and dry weight, mucilage percentage and mucilage yield. Results revealed that the highest relative growth rate of callus was observed on media containing 1 mg l-1 2,4-D and 0.5 mg l-1 kinetin. MS medium supplemented with 2.5 mgl -1 2,4-D and 0.01 mg l -1 kinetin showed the highest harvest index of mucilage. Optimal medium for mucilage production was found to be MS medium containing 0.8 mgl -1 2,4-D and 1 mg l-1 kinetin and root as explants. Results of mean comparison for mucilage production showed that media containing 0.8 mg l -1 2,4-D and 0.1 mg l -1 kinetin and leaf as explant was produced higher mucilage than that of control plant.