Abstract

A reproducible protocol for direct shoot organogenesis of Cleome viscosa, an important medicinal weed herb was developed. The seed explants were collected primarily from field grown mature plants for in vitro germination on different strength of MS basal medium with or without selection of GA₃ at various concentration (0.1 to 1.0 mg/L). The highest rate of seed germination (55.3%) was noticed on full strength MS basal medium fortified with 0.5 mg/L GA₃ after 30 days of culture. The excised 7 to 10 days old cotyledonary leaf, cotyledonary node and hypocotyls explants cultured on MS medium fortified with different concentration of individual cytokinin (BA/KIN/TDZ) alone or BA+KIN or TDZ+KIN or TDZ in combinations with different auxins (IBA/NAA/IAA) influenced the frequency of adventitious microshoot formation. The rate of shoot multiplication was greatest (100%) in cotyledonary leaf explants cultured on 3.0 mg/L TDZ and 0.3 mg/L IBA tested medium after 45 days of culture. The individual microshoots were elongated well in 0.3 mg/L TDZ and 0.1 mg/L GA₃ treated medium, but more number of adventitious micro roots were developed on half strength MS medium fortified with 0.1 mg/L NAA. The regenerated healthy plants were hardened in pots containing soil mix and well established into complete state similar to that of field grown plants under greenhouse condition.

Key words: Cleome viscosa L, medicinal weed plant, shoot multiplication, direct organogenesis.

Abbreviation

Abbreviations: Kin, Kinetin; TDZ, thidiazuron; BA, 6-benzylaminopurine; NAA, naphthaleneacetic acid; IBA, indole-3-butyric acid; GA₃, gibberellic acid; MS, Murashige and Skoog basal medium.