Micropropagation Of Merremia quinquefolia (L.) Hallier F. From Nodal Explants: Short communication

Abstract

Merremia quinquefolia, is an important medicinal plant of the family Convolvulaceae known for its vasoconstrictor, uterotonic, neurohormonic, sympathicolytic and sedative effects. In the present investigation effect of cytokinins 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), kinetin (Kn) and thidiazuron (TDZ), at concentrations 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 mg·dm-3 on in vitro shoot multiplication from nodal explants of M. quinquefolia was evaluated. Bud breaking and emergence of shoots started within 10-15 days of inoculation in all media containing cytokinin. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 4.0 mg·dm-3 BAP resulted in maximum number of shoots from single node within 45 days. In vitro raised shoots were successfully rooted on 1/2 mineral salts of MS medium with 3% sucrose supplemented with 2.0 mg·dm-3 indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). This is the first report on in vitro propagation of Merremia quinquefolia. This study can be useful for development of micropropagation protocols for related taxa.