Effect of phytohormones on in vitro regeneration of Ocimum basilicum L.

The effect of phytohormones including 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D), 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), kinetin (KN), IAA (indole-3-acetic acid) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) has been evaluated for in vitro shoot regeneration of Ocimum basilicum L. The highest callus induction (94.44%) was recorded on MS medium containing 2, 4-D (2 mg/l). When nodal segments were cultured on MS medium supplemented with BAP (0.5–2.0 mg/l), KN (0.5–2.0 mg/l) as sole and with combination of BAP (0.5 mg/l) and IAA (0.10–1.00 mg/l), multiple shoot proliferation was initiated. The maximum number of shoots (7.74±0.25), with average length 4.92±0.06 cm, was recorded with MS medium containing BAP (1.0 mg/l) as sole. Repeated subculture of in vitro proliferated shoots yielded 25–30 shoots from a single nodal segment explant after 4–5 months. Developed single shoots were transferred for rooting to ½ MS medium containing IBA (1.0 mg/l) for best rooting (92.50%) of each shoot (3.75±0.08). The in vitro raised plantlets were successfully established in garden soil, farm yard manure and sand (1:1:1) with 85% survival rate.