HIGH FREQUENCY DIRECT REGENERATION OF Canthium parviflorum (Lam.) USING MATURE NODAL EXPLANTS

Canthium parviflorum Lam is an important medicinal plant with propagation limitations as it is frequently attacked by Meliola fungi and is having seed dormancy problems. The experiments were designed using nodal explants for achieving the optimal shoot multiplication by screening them on different concentrations and combination of phytohormones on different media. The materials used are nodal explants of Canthium parviflorum and standard tissue culture methods of sterilization, media preparation, inoculation and incubation were carried out. In the present investigation, we report direct regeneration of C. parviflorum plant using nodal explants. The highest numbers of multiple shoots (50) were formed on MS media supplemented with 2.0 mg/l of BA and 0.1 mg/l of 2, 4-D. Basing on our present results, it can be concluded that MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l BA and 0.1 mg/l 2, 4-D is best combination of phytohormones for optimal in vitro response using nodal explants. It is first of its kind on C. parviflorum plant and our results will be useful to researchers working on conservation of this plant.