IN VITRO MULTIPLE SHOOT INDUCTION FROM SHOOT TIP EXPLANTS OFASHWAGANDA AN IMPORTANT MEDICINAL PLANT

Attempt was made to standardize the regeneration protocol. Medium was optimized for shoot organogenesis and rooting of Ashwaganda (Withania somnifera (L) Dunal). In vitro regeneration of shoot buds were achieved from shoot tip explants cultured on MS medium supplemented with BAP, KN and BAP+KN. Regeneration and multiplication rate was high in MS medium containing BAP(2mg/l) along with KN(2mg/l). The shoot buds were isolated from multiple shoot clusters and cultured on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of indole-3- butyric acid(IBA) for root induction. Higher degree of rooting was obtained on MS with IBA(5mg/l). Rooted plantlets were hardened and successfully established using soilrite and transplanted in earthen pots and were showed 80-90% survival during transplantation.