In vitro rapid regeneration of plantlets from nodal explants of Mucuna pruriens -: a valuable medicinal plant

A rapid and efficient protocol for the large-scale propagation of a potential medicinal plant, Mucuna pruriens, through in vitro culture of nodal segment explants obtained from 15-day-old aseptic seedlings is described. Of the three different cytokinins, 6-benzyladenine (BA), kinetin (Kin) and 2-isopentenyl adenine (2-iP) evaluated as supplements to Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, BA at an optimal concentration of 5.0 mu M was effective in inducing Multiple Shoots. Strength of the basal media also influenced the efficiency of shoot regeneration. The frequency of shoot regeneration tended to increase when the salt concentration in the basal media was reduced. Highest number of multiple shoots (23.3) and maximum average length (5.6 cm) were standardised on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 5.0 mu M BA along with 0.5 mu M alpha-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) at pH 5.8. Rooting was best induced in shoots excised from proliferated shoot Cultures 011 MS medium augmented with art optimal concentration of 1.0 mu M indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). The in vitro-raised plantlets with well-developed shoots and roots were successfully established ill earthen pots containing garden soil and were grown in greenhouse with 90% survival rate. The results of this Study provide the first report on in vitro plant regeneration of M. pruriens.