<span style="mso-bidi-font-size:14.0pt" lang="EN-US">Somatic embryogenesis and indirect organogenesis of <i>Caralluma pauciflora </i> Wight (Apocynaceae)—An endemic and rare plant </span>

Abstract

Efficient protocols of callus culture, indirect organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis were established for mature internodal segments of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Caralluma pauciflora </i>Wight (Family: Apocynaceae). When MS medium was supplemented with different concentrations of auxins, the texture of the callus varied according to the nature of auxin. Optimum callus was developed on MS medium supplemented with 3 mg/L Picloram. Best response (65%) of callus regeneration was obtained when MS medium fortified with 2iP 2 mg/L+Zeatin 0.5 mg/L. NAA was most effective in producing the highest frequency of somatic embryoids per culture. However, conversion of somatic embryos into plantlets could not be achieved in the present study. The regenerated shoots were best rooted on ½ strength MS medium containing 0.1 mg/L NAA. About 60% of the rooted shoots survived in the field.