SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS AND PLANT-REGENERATION FROM CALLUS-CULTURES OF ACONITUM-HETEROPHYLLUM WALL

Plants were obtained via somatic embryogenesis in callus derived from in vitro raised leaf and petiole explants of Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. Callus was induced on a Murashige-Skoog medium supplemented with either 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D 1 mg l-1) and kinetin (KN 0.5 mg l-1) with coconut water (CW 10% v/v) or naphthalene acetic acid (NAA 5 mg l-1) and benzylaminopurine (BAP 1 mg l-1). Somatic embryos appeared after 2-3 months or 2 subculture passages when 2,4-D or NAA induced source of the callus was transferred to a MS medium containing BAP (1 mg l-1) and NAA (0.1 mg l-1). For successful plantlet formation, the somatic embryos were transferred to a medium containing 1/4 strength MS nutrient with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA 1 mg l-1). Alternatively, the somatic embryos were dipped in a concentrated solution of IBA for 5 min and placed on a hormone free medium. Complete plantlets were formed after 4 weeks and were transferred successfully to soil.