Somatic Embryogenesis and Plant Development in Centella asiatica L., a Highly Prized Medicinal Plant of the Tropics

Abstract

Past research experience with Centella asiatica micropropagation suggests a very high rate of contamination during the culture establishment stage. We demonstrate protocols for successful sterilization of Centella explants prepared from field-grown plants with an abundance of fungal and bacterial contamination. Sequential steps during sterilization and explant preparation process included a dip for 30 s in 70% ethyl alcohol, weak bleach treatment for 12 min, and a 60-min soak in plant preservative mixture before establishing cultures. We also report a reproducible system for somatic embryogenesis in Centella using leaf and stolon tip explants collected from naturally growing populations. Somatic embryos were induced within 3 to 4 weeks of culture in the dark on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Initial embryogenic mass appeared as nodular callus, which eventually developed into actual somatic embryos exhibiting globular, heart-shaped, and cotyledonary stages. Leaves produced embryogenic calli at 2.26 and 4.52 μm 2,4-D, whereas stolon tips were responsive only in the 9.04 μm 2,4-D treatment. Withdrawal of 2,4-D/growth regulators from the induction medium resulted in the maturation and further development of the embryos into plantlets. Regular subculturing of the embryogenic calli into MS medium sustained their regenarability for more than 1 year. Somatic embryos were individually encapsulated in sodium alginate and calcium chloride-based encapsulation matrix to produce artificial or synthetic seeds (synseeds). Synseeds with 2% sodium alginate were found best for the survival and germination recorded after their storage at 5 to 8 °C for 30 and 60 days. We report protocols for C. asiatica to reduce explant contamination before establishment of cultures on somatic embryo induction medium and efficient somatic embryogenesis to facilitate conservation and mass production of elite germplasm. This may further assist rapid dissemination of superior clones needed for research and commercial production.