High frequency in vitro regeneration system for conservation of Barleria prionitis L., a threatened medicinal shrub

Abstract

A rapid and efficient plant propagation system through nodal and embryo cultures was developed for conservation of threatened shrub Barleria prionitis. Nodal explants exhibited high frequency shoot proliferation on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1.0 mg l-1 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) and 0.5 mg l-1 thidiazuron (TDZ). Microshoots were best rooted on half-strength MS fortified with 0.5 mg l-1 indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Maximum conversion (63.6 %) of zygotic embryos into well rooted plantlets was achieved on half- strength MS supplemented with 20 mg l-1 sucrose, devoid of any growth regulator S. Plantlets with high PSII photochemical efficiency (Fv /Fm ≥ 0.8) were successfully shifted to natural conditions. The overall survival rate during acclimatization from in vitro growth to field transfer was 81 %. The developed micropropagation protocol can be successfully used for large-scale multiplication and conservation this high value medicinal plant species.