In vitro propagation of Boerhaavia diffusa L.: An important medicinal plant of family Nyctagimaceae

Abstract

Boerhaavia diffusa L., also known as santhi, or punarnava is an important medicinal plant, belonging to the family Nyctaginaceae. This species is said to be distributed throughout Malwa plateau in central India, as per ayurvedic literature, but due to extensive commercial exploitation, the species has become vulnerable. For callus induction, leaf explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with various concentrations of 2,4- dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2, 4-D 2.26 μM-9.04 μM) and N6-benzyladenine (BA 1.11 μM-4.44 μM), either alone or in combinations. Calli formed within 10-12 days of culture, followed by shoots regeneration within 20-25 days. Direct organogenesis was achieved from nodal explants in MS media fortified with 2,4-D (2.26 μM-9.04 μM) along with BA (1.11 μM-4.44 μM) within 20 days. Multiple shooting was observed during subculture of in vitro regenerated shoots when 2,4-D was replaced with α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Rooting was achieved in MS medium fortified with 2.85 μM IAA, within 7-10 days and also on half strength MS medium containing 2.85 μM Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). For hardening, regenerated plants, with roots (3-4cm) were initially maintained on half-strength MS liquid medium (MS1/2) without growth regulators followed by quarter strength MS (MS1/4) liquid medium for 10 days. For acclimatization sterile mixture of soil, sand and manure (2:1:1) was used. Survival rate of regenerated plants was nearly 100%.