In vitro propagation of Nanorrhinum ramosissimum (Wall.) Betsche: A traditionally important medicinal plant

Abstract

An efficient micropropagation protocol facilitates successful conservation and improvement of Nanorrhinum ramosissimum (Wall.) Betsche by biotechnological means. Shoot tip explants exhibited optimal organogenic response when inoculated on half-strength(1/2) Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with kinetin (KN) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) (0.5 mg/L each). Shoot organogenesis was further enhanced when the multiplication medium was fortified with dextrose (1%) (2.6 shoots/explant; 7.9 cm shoot length). The regenerated shoots formed roots; however, the best rooting frequency (87%) was achieved on half-strength MS medium containing only IAA (0.5 mg/L). Four-week-old in vitro plantlets were acclimatized with 95% survival under greenhouse conditions. The regeneration protocol developed in this study can be utilized for germplasm conservation of this elite traditional medicinal plant.