Thidiazuron-induced high frequency establishment of callus cultures and plantlet regeneration in <i>Aconitum balfourii</i> Stapf.: An endangered medicinal herb of North-West Himalayas

Abstract

The present study reports an efficient <i>in vitro</i> plantlet regeneration protocol for endangered, pharmacologically important aconite, <i>Aconitum balfourii</i> Stapf. <i>via</i> callus-mediated organogenesis from both leaf and petiole segments. Optimum callusing was observed on MS+0.5 mg L^-1 TDZ (thidiazuron)+1.0 mg L^-1 NAA (naphthalene acetic acid) in both leaf (86.67%) and petiole explants (73.34%). Further, shoot induction was maximum (86.67±0.20) on MS fortified with 0.5 mg L^-1 TDZ with formation of 7.8±0.51 number of shoots. The well-developed microshoots were transferred to root induction medium and optimum rooting was observed in full-strength MS augmented with 0.25 mg L^-1 IAA (indole acetic acid) and 0.25 mg L^-1 NAA. The plantlets thus obtained, after washing, were kept in 0.5% bavistin for 10 min and were planted in pre-sterilized mixture of sand, soil and vermicompost (1:1:1) and acclimatized in controlled environment. The acclimatized plantlets were successfully transferred in field conditions displaying normal development.