Thidiazuron-induced high frequency establishment of callus cultures and plantlet regeneration in Aconitum balfourii Stapf.: An endangered medicinal herb of North-West Himalayas

• Published in: Indian journal of biotechnology Vol. 15; no. 2; pp. 251 - 255
• Main Authors: Gondval, M, Chaturvedi, P, Gaur, A K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.04.2016
• Subjects: Acclimatization; Acetic acid; Aconitum; In vitro testing; Medicinal herbs; Naphthalene; Optimization; Regeneration; Sand
• ISSN: 0972-5849; 0975-0967

The present study reports an efficient in vitro plantlet regeneration protocol for endangered, pharmacologically important aconite, Aconitum balfourii Stapf. via callus-mediated organogenesis from both leaf and petiole segments. Optimum callusing was observed on MS+0.5 mg L super(-1) TDZ (thidiazuron)+1.0 mg L super(-1) NAA (naphthalene acetic acid) in both leaf (86.67%) and petiole explants (73.34%). Further, shoot induction was maximum (86.67+ or -0.20) on MS fortified with 0.5 mg L super(-1) TDZ with formation of 7.8+ or -0.51 number of shoots. The well-developed microshoots were transferred to root induction medium and optimum rooting was observed in full-strength MS augmented with 0.25 mg L super(-1) IAA (indole acetic acid) and 0.25 mg L super(-1) NAA. The plantlets thus obtained, after washing, were kept in 0.5% bavistin for 10 min and were planted in pre-sterilized mixture of sand, soil and vermicompost (1:1:1) and acclimatized in controlled environment. The acclimatized plantlets were successfully transferred in field conditions displaying normal development.