A rapid micropropagation protocol of <i>Atropa acuminata</i> Royle ex Lindl.―A threatened medicinal plant species of Kashmir Himalaya

Abstract

In the present study, different explants, <i>viz</i>., petiole and nodal explants, of <i>Atropa acuminata</i> Royle ex Lindl. were used to develop an efficient micropropagation protocol for the conservation of this medicinally important plant. The petiole explants produced the maximum amount of callus on MS medium supplemented with BAP (3 mg/L) within 18 d in 80% cultures. Further, shoot regeneration was obtained when these calli were subcultured onto MS medium supplemented with BAP (5 mg/L), with a mean shoot length of 2.2±0.19 cm in 40% cultures within 48 d. Similarly, from nodal explants, the maximum amount of callus was achieved on MS medium supplemented with BAP (2 mg/L) in 80% cultures within 17 d. When these calli were transferred onto MS medium supplemented with BAP (2 mg/L), shoot regeneration was obtained with a mean shoot length of 2.0±0.20 cm in 80% cultures within 14 d. Root differentiation with 100% response was obtained within 18 d in <i>in vitro</i> grown shoots on MS medium augmented with IBA (0.5 mg/L) with a mean number of 21.6±6.9 roots. The <i>in vitro </i> raised plantlets were then successfully acclimatized and hardened in compost under greenhouse conditions within 3 wk with 80% response. The hardened plants were successfully transferred to the field conditions.