In vitro high frequency multiplication and assessment of genetic fidelity of Corallocarpus epigaeus: an endangered medicinal plant

Abstract

Corallocarpus epigaeus (Rottler) Hook.f. is an endangered tuberous medicinal climber of family Cucurbitaceae. Despite high medicinal value, over-exploitation made it threatened. In vitro propagation has been adopted for conserving this endangered medicinal plant. Direct shoots induction was achieved from nodal explants on MS medium fortified with various concentrations of BAP and TDZ individually and BAP + IAA, TDZ + IAA, BAP + l-glutamic acid and TDZ + l-glutamic acid combinations. The highest frequency of multiple shoots (43.33 ± 0.53) was achieved on MS medium fortified with 1.5 mg/l TDZ + 1.5 mg/l IAA from nodal explants but shoot length (12.9 ± 0.15 cm) was high on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l TDZ and 2.0 mg/l l-Glutamic acid. The highest percentage (78%) of rooting was achieved on half strength MS medium augmented with 1.0 mg/l IBA with a mean number of roots 10.76 ± 0.30 cm, an average root length is 1.69 ± 0.07 cm. Rooted plantlets were acclimatized in the greenhouse and successfully transplanted to natural conditions with a 68% survival rate. ISSR markers were used to check the genetic fidelity between in vivo and in vitro developed plantlets. The results indicated that the micropropagated plants are monomorphic and true type when compare with mother plant.