An efficient, rapid and large-scale in vitro clonal propagation of the valuable medicinal herb Eclipta alba (Asteraceae) by enhanced auxillary shoot proliferation in cotyledonary nodal segments was designed. The medium type, various carbon sources, plant growth regulators markedly influenced in vitro propagation of E. alba. The in vitro plantlet production system was investigated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with the synergistic combination of BA (4.4μM), Kin (9.2μM), 2iP (2.4 μM) and 3% sucrose which induced maximum number of shoots as well as beneficial shoot length. Subculturing of cotyledonary nodal segments on similar medium enabled continuous production of healthy shoots with similar frequency. Rooting was highest (94.3%) on full strength MS medium containing 9.8μM IBA. Micropropagated plants established in a mixture garden soil, farmyare (manure) and sand (2:1:1) were uniform and identical to the donor plant with respect to growth characteristics as well as floral features. These plants grew normally without showing any morphological variation.
Keywords: axillary shoot proliferation, hardening, ex vitro, growth regulators, growth characters
Corresponding author: E-mail: jayabalan54@yahoo.co.in, Baskaran_research@yahoo.co.in
Baskaran, P. ., & Jayabalan*, N. . (2018). Role of Basal Media, Carbon Sources and Growth Regulators in Micropropagation of Eclipta alba – A Valuable Medicinal Herb. CURRENT APPLIED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, 469-482.
