In vitro regeneration of plantlets from internodal callus culture of Vitex leucoxylon L. - A rare medicinal plant

Abstract

Attempt was made to standardize the regeneration protocol. Medium was optimized for callusing, organogenesis and rooting of Vitex leucoxylon. Compact and greenish callus from internodal segments was achieved when stem segments were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium fortified with 5.37 µM NAA + 2.22 µM BAP. In vitro regeneration of shoot buds was achieved from internodal callus cultured on MS medium supplemented with 13.30 µM BAP along with 5.37 µM NAA and/or 8.90 µM KN with 2.69 µM NAA. Regeneration and multiplication rate was high in MS medium containing 8.64 µM GA3 and 7.20 µM BAP. Elongated shoots were isolated and cultured on ½ strength MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of indole 3-butyric acid (IBA) for root induction. Higher degree of rooting was obtained on MS with 4.90 µM IBA. Rooted plantlets were hardened and successfully established using garden soil. This is the first report dealing with in vitro regeneration system for V. leucoxylon L. Key words: Vitex leucoxylon, internodal culture, organogenesis, rooting.