Abstract

MICROPROPAGATION OF MEDICINAL PLANT SARPAGANDHA (RAUWOLFIA SERPENTINA) INVITRO

Dr. Neelam Tripathi and Dr. Rekhani Jyoti Pal*

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Abstract

Sarpagandha is a medicinal shrub. It has been used in Ayurveda from ancient times. R. Serpentina plants were collected from Nearby Nursery and relocated to ex situ conditions and were maintained in glass house and field. Plantlets were successfully regenerated from shoot cultures of Rauvolfia serpentina initiated from auxiliary meristems. Nodal segment used on Murashige and Skoog medium. Sterilization of explants done with bavistin, streptomycin, NaOCl and HgCl2. MS+ BAP and IBA proved more responsive and effective for proliferation than BAP alone. MS+ 5 mg/l BAP+ 0.5 mg/l IBA found significantly better with 5.52 shoots and 81.30% shoot proliferation. Explants were slightly more responsive in the media combination MS+5 mg/l BAP+ 1.0 mg/l IBA with ±6.53 days and maximum length of shoots (6.93 cm). Root induction found best in ½ MS media+ NAA+ IAA, responded in ±29.3 days showing maximum root length. 1:3 soilrite and cocopeat hardening media with watering after 1 day of planting gave maximum survival in primary hardening. Present investigation indicates that, in-vitro regeneration protocol will provide techniques that can be successfully used for mass in-vitro propagation of species, Rauwolfia serpentina L. 95% of plantlets survived. The in vitro generated shoots were rooted and later transferred to the soil. Experiments carried out under reduced culture conditions; In vitro plants could be conserved for durations ranging from 6 to 12 months with one intervening subculture.

Keywords: MS (Murashige and Skoog) Media, in vitro, Ayurveda, Nodal segment, Rauwolfia serpentina, Sterilization.