In vitro propagation of Aconitum balfourii Stapf.: an important aconite of the Himalayan alpines

Abstract

SummarySmall leaf segments, obtained from in vitro sprouted axillary buds, have been used to develop an ef®cient micropropagation protocol for Aconitum balfourii Stapf., an important medicinal herb of the Indian Himalayan alpines. Following the induction of callus from cultured leaf segments on Murashige and Skoog (1962; MS) medium containing 4.5.mM 6-benzyladenine (BA) and 26.9.mM a-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), the highest values for shoot induction were obtained on the same medium supplemented with the same concentration (4.5.mM) of BA and a lower concentration of NAA (1.4.mM). These individual shoots could be further multiplied easily, with maximum shoot proliferation obtained on MS medium containing 1.1.mM BA only. The shoots obtained either directly from the callus or after multiplication on the above medium, were found to root ef®ciently on MS medium supplemented with 12.3.mM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). After in vitro hardening in the culture room, the plantlets were transplanted to a greenhouse where the growth of plants was normal. Comparison of mitotic chromosome numbers of root tip cells, protein pro®le and alkaloid content of tubers of in vitro raised and seed grown plants of comparable age showed equal number of chromosomes, identical protein pro®le and similar amounts of diterpenoid alkaloids (aconitine and pseudoaconitine). This paper is the ®rst report describing a complete regeneration protocol, along with quantitative data, for A. balfourii using in vitro methods.