In-vitro Propagation of Datura innoxia from Nodal and Shoot Tip Explants

Abstract

The present paper describes a prime and easy-to-use protocol for large scale production of plantlets through shoot tip culture of Datura innoxia, the plant having phytoremediation potential and the method is useful for the ex-situ conservation of other phytoremediational important species. A simple micro-propagation method from nodal and shoot tip explants were reported here for Datura innoxia, at contaminated site nearby Bhopal. This plant is having considerable high phytoremediation potential. There are only few research papers about the plant regeneration from nodal segments of Datura innoxia. Therefore, by considering the pharmaceutical and phytoremediation importance of this plant, it is necessary to provide efficient tissue culture protocols for it. The plant regeneration from nodal segments is considered to be one of the most promising ways for multiplying a selected variety true to its type showing the same agronomic characteristics. Here multiple shoots were induced in vitro from the stem nodal and shot tip segments on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) alone or in combination with naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and kinetin (KIN). High frequency of micro shoots were obtained from the explants on MS medium supplemented with various concentrations of BAP (0.1 to 1.0mg/l) along with NAA. The nodal explants produced the highest number (3 per shoot) of shoots per culture with a mean length of approximate 4.5cm. The shoot tip explants produced maximum number of (6 to 7) shoots per culture on the same medium, average length of the in vitro shoots being approximate 4 cm. Moreover, the nodal segment, which had a pre-existing meristem, is suitable for clonal propagation because it is easily manipulated, has a high proliferation rate and maintains clonal fidelity. This tissue culture protocol helps to regenerate large number of Datura innoxia plantlets having hyper accumulator properties for heavy metals.