Micropropagation of Eclipta alba (Linn.) Hassk- a Valuable Medicinal Herb

Abstract

A protocol was established for mass propagation of a valuable medicinal herb, Eclipta alba (Linn.) Hassk (Asteraceae) through in vitro culture. Apical and axillary buds of young sprouts from selected plants were used as explants. Best shoot induction was observed on MS basal medium supplemented with 0.5 mgl-1 BAP + 0.1 mgl-1 NAA, in which 94% of the explants produced 18 shoots per culture. Repeated subcultures in the same medium, resulted rapid shoot multiplication with 26 shoots per culture. In vitro raised shoots rooted on half strength MS medium with 1.0 mgl-1 IBA +1.0 mgl-1 NAA. For acclimatization and transplantation, the plantlets in the rooting culture tubes were kept in normal room temperature for 7 days before transplanting in pots where plantlets were reared for three weeks. The survival rate of regenerated plantlets was 80%. Key words: Eclipta alba, Medicinal plant, Shoot proliferation, Micropropagation, Acclimatization   DOI: 10.3329/bjsir.v43i2.965 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 43(2), 215-222, 2008