Rapid in vitro multiplication and plant regeneration from Shoot tip explants of Ammannia baccifera L.: An important medicinal plant

Tissue culture technique was developed for mass production of multiple shoots from valuable medicinal plant of Ammannia baccifera Linn. High frequency of direct shoot proliferation was induced in shoot tip explants cultured on Murashige and Skoog’s medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). Among the various cytokinins tested (BAP, kinetin and Zeatin), BAP proved to be the most effective. The most suitable medium for shoot regeneration was MS medium fortified with 2.0 mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), on which highest percentage of shoot response (80±1.90), the maximum number (7.8±1.40) of shoots per explant, having a shoot length of (2.8±1.01cm) were produced. The highest number of shoots multiplication response (85±1.68), the maximum number shoot per explants (28.6±1.63) and shoot length (3.0±1.12 cm) was documented on MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l BAP and 0.5 mg/l NAA. Further shoot elongation was achieved on MS medium containing 0.5 mg/l GA3. The elongated micro shoots were rooted on MS medium fortified with 2.0 mg/l IAA and 0.8 mg/l IBA on highest percentage of rooting response (80±2.16), the maximum number of root per explants (18.4±1.50) and root length (4.2±1.34 cm) was recorded. The well developed shoot and rooted plantlets were successfully transferred into paper cups containing vermiculite, sand and soil in the ratio of 1:2:1 and subsequently they were established in the greenhouse. The results of this study provide the first successful report on in vitro direct plant regeneration from shoot tip explants of A. baccifera L.