Abstract

A rapid micro-propagation protocol was established for rare medicinal plantClitoria ternatea L. Multiple shoot formation was induced from shoot tip, node and cotyledonary node explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 2.0 mg/l BAP. Nodal explants gave the largest number (11.1) of shoots followed by cotyledonary node and shoot tip. MS medium containing 0.5 mg/l GA₃ was found most suitable for shoot elongation. Ex vitro rooting was achieved when the basal cut ends of elongated shoots were dipped in 250 mg/l IBA solution for half an hour followed by transplantation in plastic cups containing sterilized soilrite. The acclimatized plantlets were successfully established in the field with 90% survival rate. The plantlets are growing well without any phenotypic aberrations.

Key words: Clitoria ternatea, aparajita, axillary shoot proliferation.