Low-Cost Media for In-vitro Callus Development in Catharanthus roseus (L) G. Don

Abstract

Objective: The study focuses on formulating and validating low-cost media for in vitro callus induction and development in Catharanthus roseus. Methods: Percentage response, nature and mass of in vitro grown C. roseus callus was recorded for the conventional MS media with casein hydrolysate (1g/L) and three low-cost media supplemented with casein hydrolysate (1g/L). The effect of two hormonal combinations, viz., 1.5mg/L 2,4-D + 1mg/L Kin and 1mg/L BAP + 1mg/L NAA had been studied for callus development. Results: Two media combinations including MS (urea replacing NH4NO3) + table sugar (30g/L) + casein hydrolysate (1 g/L) + Food grade agar (FGA, 7g/L) and MS + table sugar (30g/L) + casein hydrolysate (1g/L) + sago (80g/L) was observed to take less number of days to callus induction, 11 and 12 days respectively, than the conventional MS media + casein hydrolysate (1g/L) + gelrite (2.2g/L) with 2,4-D (1.5mg/L) + Kin (1mg/L), which took 13 days to callus induction. MS (urea replacing NH4NO3) + table sugar (30g/L) + casein hydrolysate (1g/L) + FGA (7g/L) with 2,4-D (1.5mg/L) + Kin (1mg/L) gave rise to high callus mass, averaging to 12.351g, at the end of 4th subculture and also, high percentage of cost reduction per liter of media was observed compared to conventional MS media with casein hydrolysate. Conclusion: The present study indicated MS (urea replacing NH4NO3) + casein hydrolysate (1g/L) + FGA (7g/L) with 2,4-D (1.5mg/L) + Kin (1mg/L) as a better media for developing and proliferating C. roseus callus In vitro.