Encapsulation of microcuttings for propagation and short-term preservation in Ruta graveolens L.: a plant with high medicinal value

Synthetic seeds technology is a potential tool for an efficient and cost-effective clonal propagation system. In the present study, synthetic seeds were produced by encapsulating nodal segments (synthetic or synseeds) of Ruta graveolens in calcium alginate gel. The best gel complex was achieved using 3 % sodium alginate and 100 mM CaCl2.2H(2)O. Maximum conversion response of synthetic seeds into plantlets was obtained on MS medium supplemented with 10 mu M 6-benzyladenine (BA) and 2.5 mu M alpha-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Encapsulated nodal segments could be stored at low temperature (4 A degrees C) up to 4 weeks with a survival frequency of 86.7 %. The regenerated shoots rooted on MS medium containing 0.5 mu M indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Well-developed plantlets with proper root and shoot system from encapsulated nodal segments were hardened off successfully with 90 % survival rate. The high frequency of plant re-growth (conversion) from alginate-coated nodal segments coupled with high viability percentage after 4 weeks of storage is highly encouraging for the exchange of R. graveolens genetic resources.