Effect of vermicompost extracts on the in vitro micropropagation of Bacopa monnieri

Abstract

Context: To study the effect of vermicompost (VC) extracts on micropropagation of Bacopa monnieri (Linn) Pennell. Aims: The aim was to develop low cost and economical tissue culture media for micropropagation using VC extracts. Settings and Design: VC and its extracts act as a plant growth promoting organic substitute containing humic substances. VC extracts were used as a low cost plant tissue culture media. Subjects and Methods: Aqueous extracts of VC (30%) supplemented with 8 g/L agar as the experimental media and Murashige and Skoog media was used as control to support the micropropagation of B. monnieri. Hardening of tissue cultured plantlets was carried out using VC and its spray in the medium of cocopeat. The well‐developed plantlets were transferred to the greenhouse and then into the field. Statistical Analysis Used: Student’s t‐test and Tukey’s studentized range (honest significant difference) test was considered for analyses of significance for various growth parameters such as development of roots, shoots, leaves, nodes, weight (in milligrams) and percentage survival of plantlets from nodal explants of B.monnieri to detect differences observed between the two media. Results: The results have indicated that the aqueous extract of VC is most suitable as a component of tissue culture media for well establishment of explants. And the VC extract with the chemical supplements in the form of hormones, micronutrients or vitamins along with VC have a negative effect on the overall survival of plantlets. Conclusions: This study has indicated that by standardizing the technique, it is possible to develop the plants that respond to micropropagation in an economical way. Thus, the economical and the innovative technique implemented in this study significantly enhanced the production of the medicinal plant. Key words: Aqueous extract of vermicompost, Bacopa monnieri, bacoside, micropropagation, vermicompost extract.