In vitro micropropagation of Gymnema sylvestre – A multipurpose medicinal plant

The nature of the explant, seedling age, medium type, plant growth regulators, complex extracts (casein hydrolysate, coconut milk, malt extract and yeast extract) and antioxidants (activated charcoal, ascorbic acid, citric acid and polyvinylpyrrolidone) markedly influenced in vitro propagation of Gymnema sylvestre. A maximum number of shoots (57.2) were induced from 30 day old seedling axillary node explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 6-benzyladenine (1 mg l−1), kinetin (0.5 mg l−1), 1-napthalene acetic acid (0.1 mg l−1), malt extract (100 mg l−1) and citric acid (100 mg l−1). High frequency of rooting was obtained in axillary node explant derived shoots (50%) on half strength MS medium supplemented with IBA (3 mg l−1). The plantlets, thus developed, were hardened and successfully established in natural soil.