In vitro rapid multiple shoots proliferation and plant regeneration of herbal spice Patchouli -: Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth

Efficient protocol for rapid multiplication and plant regeneration of the herbal spice Pogostemon cablin (Lamiaceae) through node explant culture was established using Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. MS medium supplemented individually with 0.5 mgl(-1) N-6-benzyladenine (BA) and 1.0 mgl(-1) kinetin (KN) showed the higher rate of shoots proliferation; induced a mean of 38.8 +/- 0.721 shoots/culture for the periods of four weeks. These shoot clumps were separated and sub cultured MS media containing BA (0.5mgl(-1)) and NAA (1.0mgl(-1)) combination for three weeks. Four to five shoots were maintained in each clump. Each shoot attained a height of more than nine cm bearing more than five to seven nodes within 35 days. Well developed plantlets were transferred for acclimatization.