Abstract

IN VITRO CALLUS CULTURE OF SUNFLOWER BY USING ISUBGOL (PLANTAGO OVATE)

Ramesh N. Dhawale*, Pranita P. Dhapse and Shaikhdar B. F. N.

Abstract

'Isubgol', the mucilaginous husk, derived from Plantago ovate a stem less herb of the plantaginaceae family, is used as emollient, demulcent and laxative and in the treatment of dysentery and diarrhoea. Attempts have been made to find a substitute for agar as gelling agent. The study was conducted on commercially important crop plants like sunflower. Isubgol was successfully used as a gelling material in tissue culture media. The price of 'Isubgol husk' is cheaper than the conventionally used agar and it had reduced the price of gelling agent approximately by 47.5 % in plant tissue culture media. The use of 'Isubgol husk' along with agar can reduce the cost of gelling agents. The response from media gelled with Isubgol husk in sunflower was similar to that from media solidified with agar.

Keywords: Isubgol, Plantago ovate, Callus culture, Gelling agent, Sunflower, Explant