Micropropagation of Glinus Lotoides L.: An Endangered Medicinal Plant

Glinus lotoides L., an endangered medicinal herb, is valued for its dietary vegetable and medicinal properties. It is propagated by seed. However, the seeds remain viable for very short period of time resulting in scarce distribution throughout the world. Hence, the objective of this study was to enhance germination of the seeds and to develop a micropropagation protocol for this plant. For seed germination experiment, Plant Growth Regulator (PGR) free MS (Murashige and Skoog) medium, filter paper and potted soil were used. Freshly harvested seeds from green house were sowed in PGR free MS medium to serve as explants. MS media containing different concentrations of 6-Benzyl Amino Purine (BAP) and Kinetin (KIN) were used for culture initiation and multiplication. Root induction was done on half strength MS medium containing different concentrations of Indole-3-Butyric Acid (IBA). Maximum ex vitro germination (73.77%) was obtained from fresh (0- day- old) seeds. The highest germination response (73.55%) was obtained from fresh (0- day- old) seeds sowed on MS medium. Highest shoot initiation (98.11%) was observed on medium containing 0.5 mg/l BAP. Best shoot multiplication (8.82 shoots per explant) was achieved on MS medium containing 0.5 mg/l BAP. Maximum shoot height (2.20 cm) was attained on PGR-free MS medium. Highest root number per shoot (6.86) with 96.67% rooting response was obtained in the presence of 0.5 mg/l IBA. Maximum root length (4.06 cm) was also achieved on this medium. The plantlets were transferred to sand-red soil-compost in 2:1:1 ratio and 87% of the plantlets survived after acclimatization. Thus, this study is useful for micropropagation of this medicinally important species. Keywords: Acclimatization, Rooting, Seed germination, Shoot multiplicatio