Abstract
An efficient and improved protocol for in vitro seed germination and seedling development technique of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal have been developed. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 3.0 mg l-1 gibberellic acid (GA3) and 3.0 mg l-1 Kinetin (Kn) was found effective for maximum germination percentage (92.67), germination rate (1.83), germination value (56.07) and seedling vigour index (875.73). Whereas minimum days required for germination (8.30), maximum germination speed (6.15), shoot length (7.72 cm), weight of shoot (4.48 g), weight of root (1.83 g), fresh weight of seedlings (5.91 g), dry weight of seedlings (0.78 g), number of leaves per plantlet (5.57) and plant height (8.79 cm) was recorded in MS medium containing 5.0 mg l-1 GA3 and 5.0 mg l-1 Kn. The present protocol clearly describes that W. somnifera (L.) Dunal seeds should be germinated first in MS medium containing 3.0 mg l-1 GA3 and 3.0 mg l-1 Kn and after that the completely germinated seeds should be subcultured in MS medium supplemented with growth hormones 5.0 mg l-1 GA3 and 5.0 mg l-1 Kn for seedling development. Key words: In vitro, seed germination, seedling development, Withania, medicinal herb.
Highlights
Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, is an important herb in the ayurvedic and indigenous medical systems for over 3000 years (Sharma et al, 2010)
Whereas minimum days required for germination (8.30), maximum germination speed (6.15), shoot length (7.72 cm), weight of shoot (4.48 g), weight of root (1.83 g), fresh weight of seedlings (5.91 g), dry weight of seedlings (0.78 g), number of leaves per plantlet (5.57) and plant height (8.79 cm) was recorded in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 5.0 mg l-1 GA3 and 5.0 mg l-1 Kn
MS medium when supplemented with 3.0 mg l-1 GA3 + 3.0 mg l-1 Kn produced maximum seedling vigour index (875.73) followed by the treatment MG4K4; while the minimum seedling vigour (509.86) was noticed in control treatment
Summary
Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, is an important herb in the ayurvedic and indigenous medical systems for over 3000 years (Sharma et al, 2010). Both leaves and roots of the plant are used as the drug and steroidal lactones occur in both parts. Roots are prescribed as medicines for hiccups, several female disorders, bronchitis, rheumatism, dropsy, stomach and lung inflammation, and skin diseases. The active pharmacological components of W. somnifera are steroidal lactones of the withanolide type. Several chemotypes have been found differing in their withanolide content. The principal withanolide in Indian W. somnifera are withaferin A and withanolide D (Ganzera et al, 2003)
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