<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal;mso-font-kerning:10.0pt;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:HI" lang="EN-GB">Studies on propagation, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">in vitro</i> regeneration and commercial exploitation of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Canscora decurrens</i> Dalzell—A potential medicinal plant</span>

Abstract

<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Canscora decurrens </i>Dalzell (Family: Gentianaceae)<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"> </i>is a mesophytic herb having high medicinal potential. Propagation and cultivation of this plant in soil is difficult due to prolonged inhibition of apical growth in the germinated seedling. Soaking of seeds in different concentrations of phytohormones like gibberellic acid (GA₃), 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and kinetin (Kn) failed to induce growth and establishment of plants. However, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">in vitro</i> studies indicated high regenerating potential of callus [obtained on Kn+NAA (naphthaleneacetic acid)] on Murashige Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with BAP. As a result numerous multiple shoots were induced. Rooting, flowering and seed setting was also observed in the same culture medium. Hence, if maintained under culture conditions, regenerated plants complete their life cycle—from explants to seed bearing plants, ensuring mass production of pathogen free, homogeneous stock. Since the whole plant is used for medicinal purposes, it is commercially viable to use regenerated biomass directly to obtain the active medicinal principles.