OPTIMIZED PLANT TISSUE CULTURE PROTOCOL FOR IN VITRO MORPHOGENESIS OF AN ENDANGERED MEDICINAL HERB Ceropegia ensifolia Bedd.

In the present study effect of different concentrations of sucrose and Thidiazuron (TDZ) on in vitro morphogenesis of C. ensifolia was investigated and rapid micropropagation protocol was developed from in vitro derived nodal explants. Among the sucrose concentrations tested, medium concentration (3%) of sucrose induced maximum number of healthy shoots (6.5±0.68). The shoots formed in this concentration are normal and elongated rapidly. Whereas at higher concentrations delayed shoot induction with stout shoots stunted in their growth was observed. Among different concentrations of TDZ tested healthy shoots with well developed leaves were formed in lower concentration i.e. 0.2 mg/l. the number of shoots formed in this concentration was limited to 3.6±0.18 shoots/explant. The shoots raised in vitro were best rooted on MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/l α-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) in combination with 0.05 mg/l 6-Benzyladenine (BAP). The maximum root induction (84%) with mean number of roots  of 6.7±0.26 and with mean root length 3.5±0.28 cm was observed after six weeks of inoculation. Complete plantlets developed in vitro were acclimatized successfully with 85% survival in field conditions.