Rapid protocol for callus induction and differentiation of roots and shoots in Dioscorea alata—a medicinal plant

Abstract

The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of different concentrations of growth regulators on in vitro differentiation of Dioscorea through nodal explants which provide a fast, reliable and alternate method of multiplication and facilitate ex situ conservation of this valuable plant species. Nodal explants excised from in vivo grown plants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different combinations of plant growth substances. The maximum (100 per cent) callus induction as well as growth was obtained on NAA (2.5 mg/l). The induced callus was transferred onto the nutrient media supplemented with different combinations of growth regulators for the differentiation of roots and shoots. Roots were developed on MS medium + NAA (2.0 mg/l) + IBA (0.5 mg/l), shoots on MS + BAP (2.0 mg/l) + NAA (0.5 mg/l) and roots-shoots on MS + NAA (2.5 mg/l) + 2, 4-D (2.0 mg/l) from the callus.