Comparison of two methods for in vitro propagation of Rauwolfia serpentina from nodal explants

Abstract

Two different methods of in vitro multiplication of Rauwolfia serpentina from nodal explants were compared viz. multiplication via callus morphogenesis and that via shoot proliferation from axillary buds. The second method was found to be far better. The optimum shoot proliferation occurred on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1 mg/L naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and 2mg/L of benzyl aminopurine (BAP). The best rooting of shoots occurred on MS medium containing 4% sucrose and 1 mg/L of NAA. Solid and liquid MS media were found to be similar in supporting shoot proliferation. The plants produced were successfully hardened and established in soil. An easy, reliable and reproducible protocol was developed for in vitro micropropagation of Rauwolfia serpentina from nodal explants.