Micropropagation prospective of cotyledonary explants of Decalepis hamiltonii Wight & Arn.-An endangered edible species

The study was undertaken to standardize the development of callus, shoot and root regeneration from cotyledonary explant of Decalepis hamiltonii Wight & Am. through the tissue culture techniques. The MS medium supplemented with 6-benzyl amino purine (BA), 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D), kinetin (Kn), gibberelic acid (GA(3)), indole acetic acid (IAA), indole butyric acid (IBA) and 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) was used for callus, shoot and root regeneration. The maximum percentage (82.0%) of callus formation was achieved on 0.5 mg/L BA in combination with 0.05 mg/L Kn, followed by 78.5% of callus formation on 0.5 mg/L 2,4-D fortified with 0.05 mg/L Kn. The highest shoot proliferation (4.6 shoots/callus) and shoot length (6.9 cm) was achieved on 1.0 mg/L BA combined with 0.1 mg/L GA(3), followed by 3.8 shoots per callus and 5.8 cm shoot length on 1.0 mg/L IAA combined with 0.1 mg/L GA3. The highest root formation (38.2 roots/shoot) and root length (11.8cm) was achieved on 1/2 strength MS medium fortified with 0.4 mg/L IBA, followed by 36.5 roots per shoot and root length of 10.7 cm on 0.4 mg/L NAA. The well-developed rooted plantlets were hardened in the mixtures of forest soil, soil and vermiculite (1:1:1) and 97.5% plantlets survived after hardening.