Efficacy of different growth regulators at different stages of somatic embryogenesis Eryngium foetidumL.—A rare medicinal plant

Abstract

Abstract High-frequency somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration were achieved on callus developed from root, stem disc, leaf, and scape explants of Eryngium foetidum L. (Apiaceae). Calluses developed on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium fortified with 5.37–10.74 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) in combination with 2.32 or 4.65 μM kinetin (Kn) formed somatic embryos after transfer to liquid half-strength MS (½MS) medium with 2.69 μM NAA and 1.16 μM Kn. Furthermore, promotion of embryo formation was also observed in callus developed on medium with 4.52 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and Kn after transferral to ½MS liquid medium containing 10% coconut water (CW)/coconut toddy (CT). Somatic embryos developed into plantlets at the highest frequency (98%) after transferral to solid ½MS medium containing 10% CW/CT. All the plantlets were acclimatized in soil and survived under field conditions, and they were morphologically indistinguishable from the source plant.