High frequency plant regeneration from embryo-derived callus of Lobelia nicotianifolia roth ex roem and schult - A medicinal plant

High frequency callus formation occurred in cultures of seeds of Lobelia nicotianifolia on Murashige &Skoog's medium supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2mg/l). Growth and organogenetic potentiality of the calli varied with the supplements used. Murashige &Skoog's medium supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2mg/l) and activated charcoal (1g/l) was the best combination for differentiation of the maximal number of shoots (163.3±6.6). The same combination along with L-glutamine (0.08g/l) was also favourable for shoot bud induction. In modified Murashige &Skoog's medium with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (0.1mg/l) and activated charcoal (1g/l) maximal number of shoot buds were formed. Kinetin or 6-benzyladenine (0.5mg/l) along with 2,4-dichlorophenoxy-acetic acid (0.5mg/l) and activated charcoal (1g/l) induced only a few shoot buds. Among the growth adjuvants, casein hydrolyzate (0.1g/l) in combination with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (0.1mg/l) and activated charcoal (1g/l) was the best for inducing the maximal number of shoots (80 an explant). Half strength Murashige &Skoog's medium + β-indolyl-3 butyric acid was effective for the induction of roots The plantlets were hardened in a potting mixture of vermiculite and sand (3:1). Thus a reproducible method has been established for micropropagation of L. nicotianifolia and secondary metabolite investigation.