Jitendra Mehta

An efficient and cost effective micropropagation protocol using MS medium developed for Catharanthus roseus, a commercially important medicinal plant. Shootlets were regenerated from nodal explants of stem through axillary shoot proliferation. The induction of multiple shoots from nodal segments were premier in MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l BAP ± 1mg/l NAA. For rooting, different concentration of IBA were used and maximum rooting was recorded on MS medium with 5 mg/l IBA. The rooted plantlets were hardened initially in culture room conditions and then transferred to misthouse.

This review highlights the recent development and achievements made for the micropropagation of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni (an antidiabatic sweetener herb) in Hadoti region of south-east Rajasthan. Shootlets were regenerated from nodal explants of stem through auxiliary shoot proliferation. The induction of multiple shoots from nodal segments was the highest in MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l BAP+0.5 mg/l Kn. For rooting different concentration of IBA were used and highest rooting was recorded on MS medium with 0.5 mg/l IBA. The rooted Plantlets were hardened initially in culture room conditions and then transferred to misthouse. Leaf petiole explants were used for the purpose of callus induction. Best growth was observed in MS medium supplemented with 0.25 mg/l 2, 4-D+ 0.5 mg/l Kn and 0.25 mg/l 2,4-D+ 0.5mg/l BAP.