THE CALLUGENIC EFFECTS OF 2,4-DICHLOROPHENOXY ACETIC ACID (2,4-D) ON LEAF EXPLANTS OF SABAH SNAKE GRASS (CLINACANTHUS NUTANS)

Clinacanthus nutans (Burm. f.) Lindau is a medicinal plant that is widely used in traditional treatments for skin inflammation, skin lesions, viral infection and snake bites. This study investigates the effects of different concentrations of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) on the induction of callus from Clinacanthus nutans leaves. Young and mature leaves of Clinacanthus nutans were placed on MS media supplemented with ten concentrations of 2,4-D (0 to 10mg/L). The percentage of callus formation, callus fresh weight and callus morphology were recorded followed by histological analysis on callus from young leaves and mature leaves. The highest mean of fresh weight of callus was obtained from young leaf explants in MS media supplemented with 0.5 mg/L 2,4-D whereas the highest mean of callus fresh weight from mature leaf explants was achieved in MS media supplemented with 0.25 mg/L 2,4-D. Histological analysis indicated potential formation of somatic embryos from callus of young leaf explants. This study reports the potential of callus from young leaf explants of Clinacanthus nutans forming somatic embryos and mature leaf explants producing friable callus for the establishment of cell suspension cultures in future bioactive compounds studies.