Efficient in Vitro Regeneration and Micropropagation of Medicinal Plant Momordica tuberosa Roxb

Abstract

Attempts have been made to establish protocol for in vitro propagation of Momordica tuberosa (Cogn) Roxb. using nodal segments and shoot apices obtained from field-grown mature plants. In vitro regeneration was achieved from nodal explants on Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium supplemented with 6-benzyladenine at 2.22, 4.40, 6.62, and 8.90 μM and kinetin at 2.32, 4.60, 6.92, and 9.30 μM either alone or in combination (BA + Kn). Within the ranges evaluated, the regeneration medium containing 4.40 μM BA combined with 4.60 μM Kn showed highest regeneration efficiency, with 9.0 ± 0.49 shoots per explant. Such in vitro regenerated shoots attained a maximum length of 10.0 ± 0.47 cm. The regeneration medium containing BA + Kn was used to subculture regenerated shoots at 4-week intervals. BA at 13.30 μM induced regeneration from shoot apex cultures, and 75% of explants showed regeneration efficiency with 7.8 ± 0.66 cm as the mean length of shoot. Such shoots could be subcultured on medium containing BA. Microshoots were rooted onto MS medium supplemented with 4.90 μM indole-3-butyric acid. Regenerated plants were established in the greenhouse with 90% survival rate. The protocol is simple, rapid, and efficient for in vitro propagation of nodal explants and shoot apices of M. tuberosa.

KEYWORDS:

• athalaikai
• kakrol Momordica cymbalaria Hook F.
• multiple shoots
• nodal segments
• shoot apices
• greenhouse transfer

The authors are thankful to Prof. V. S. Raju, Plant Systematics Laboratory, Department of Botany, Kakatiya University, Warangal, India, for providing the plant material.