High Frequency Clonal Propagation of Cymbopogon martinii var motia (palmarosa) Through Rhizome Culture and True to Type Assessment using ISSR Marker

A rapid and high frequency plant propagation system has been established in Cymbopogon martinii var motia using rhizome culture. Different concentrations of auxins, such as 5.36 mu M Napthalene acetic acid (NAA) and 5.71 mu M Indole 3-acetic acid (IAA) satisfactorily induced shoot buds when applied individually or in combination with 4.40 mu M N-6-Benzyladenine (BA) on MS medium. Multiple shoot proliferation was noted when induced microshoots were cultured on MS medium supplemented with BA either alone or with NAA. Shoot bud induction and multiple shoot formation were enhanced significantly with the application of growth additives like coconut water (CW) and biotin. Out of the two auxins (IAA and IBA) tested, rooting percentage and number of roots/shoot was significantly higher on 1/2 MS medium supplemented with 4.90 mu M lndole 3- butyric acid (IBA). Twelve reproducible ISSR primers efficiently screened 16 randomly chosen regenerants of C. martinii with similar monomorphic banding profiles exhibiting genetic stability of the regenerants.