ADVENTITIOUS SHOOT REGENERATION OF DWARF HYGRO (Hygrophila polysperma) UNDER IN VITRO CONDITIONS

Dwarf hygro (Hygrophila polysperma [Roxb.] T. Anderson) is an important medicinal aquatic plant and bioindicator. The study presents in vitro adventitious shoot regeneration from leaf explant of dwarf hygro cultured in liquid MS medium containing 0.50-2.50 mg/l Benzylaminopurine (BA). Adventitious shoot regeneration initiated from leaf margins and maximum of 5.11 shoots per explant were induced on MS medium containing 1.0 mg/l BA. After 6 weeks of culture. explants were transferred to culture medium supplemented with 0.502.50 mg/l BA plus 1.0 mg/l Gibberellic acid (GA(3)) for shoot elongation and multiplication. Addition of GA(3) along with different concentrations of BA increased the shoot number and shoot length. Maximum of 10.92 shoot were recorded from MS medium containing 1.0 mg/l BA+1.0 mg/l GA(3). Whereas, longer shoot (1.24 cm) was recorded from 0.5 mg/l BA-1.0 mg/l GA(3) Regenerated shoots were rooted successfully on agar solidified MS medium containing 0.10-1.00 mg/l Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 100% rooting was achieved within 3 weeks. Rooted plantlets were acclimatized in aquarium containing tap water where they continue their growth.