“RAPID IN-VITRO REGENERATION OF AN ENDANGERED MEDICINAL PLANT SARPAGANDHA (RAUVOLFIA SERPENTINA L.)”

Runa Rashmi? and Dr. M. P. Trivedi

ABSTRACT

Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) is commonly known as Sarpagandha is an important medicinal shrub of family Apocynaceae. It comprises of total 80 species. Explants of an alkaloid producing plant cultured in vitro and has been found to retain the capacity to synthesis alkaloids identical to that in the intact plant. Alkaloids of these plants have a great medicinal importance to treat cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, malaria, menorrhagia, cancer, etc. The members are wild as well as cultivated with milky saps that contain secondary metabolites which have medicinal value. In view of these facts the study was conducted for micropropagation of Rauvolfia serpentina. MS media supplemented with different concentrations (0.5–10.0 mg/l) of NAA, 2, 4-D, BAP and KIN were used singly and in combination. Among all the growth hormones 2, 4-D was the best for callus induction (93% in stem and 97% in leaf) and in combination 2, 4-D and BAP (85% in stem and 95% in leaf). Day of callus induction started from 13th to 37th day. This variation is due to the differences in culture conditions and the age of explants. In single combination BAP was the best for shooting (77%) and in double combinations BAP (1.5mg/l) and NAA (0.5mg/l) were the best for shooting (80%). Higher induction of root (85%) was observed at NAA (2mg/l) and in double combinations BAP (1.5mg/l) and NAA (0.5mg/l) were the best for rooting (87%). Regenerated plants after hardenings were transferred to soil and they showed 77% survival. The protocol was optimized by manipulations of different plant hormones for enhanced multiplication. Protocol explained here provides a rapid plant regeneration system which could be used for the commercial purposes.

Keywords: Rauvolfia serpentina, callus culture, micropropagation, plant growth regulators.