Microtuberization of Ceropegia pusilla Wight and Arn. an Endangered Medicinal Plant

An efficient micropropagation (direct & indirect) and microtuberization protocol for an endemic and ethanomedicinal plant Ceropegia pusilla is described. The highest number of shoot initiation (3.50 ±0.34) and higher average shoot number in shoot subculture (15.40 ± 1.65) were recorded on MS medium supplemented with BAP+NAA (2.5+0.5 mg/l). The best performance of callus induction and morphogenesis was found on MS medium supplemented with BAP and NAA from stem. The callus initiation was recorded on MS medium supplemented with BAP+NAA (0.5 + 1.0 mg/l) and the higher percentage of callus forming shoots from callus subculture is determinate to be 90-95 ± 7.93. MS medium supplemented with various concentrations of cytokinins and auxins supported the induction of microtubers, in vitro flowering and roots. The microtubers and root formation occurred on the basal region of the shoots in MS medium containing BAP (1.5mg/l) and NAA (0.5mg/l). The higher average number of root length was (2.8 ± 0.68cm) also observed in the same concentration. The plantlets regenerated in vitro with well-developed shoots, microtubers and roots were successfully established in pots containing hardening media and grown in a shade house with 81± 3.16% survival rate.