Organogenic regeneration from different explants of patchouli (Pogostemon cab/in)

Abstract

Patchouli [Pogostemon cablin Benth. (syn. P. patchouli Pellet)] a native of South East Asia, is a hardy perennial herb adapted to hot and humid climatic conditions. Oil from patchouli blends with other essential oils and is a basic ingredient of high value perfumes, cosmetics and toiletries because of its strong fixative properties. However, the feasibility of mass production of patchouli has been limited due to the recurrence of mosaic virus, root knot nematode and insect pests. This plant never or very rarely flowers and hence needs to be propagated vegetatively. Feasibility of mass propagation of high yielding and disease/pathogen resistant patchouli through tissue culture approaches has been envisaged. In vitro studies on clonal propagation [1-3] and regeneration from callus [4, 5] have been reported. Present study reports high frequency organogenic regeneration from leaf and nodal explants of an elite strain that can be suitably employed for large-scale propagation.