IN VITRO CALLUS INDUCTION OF SMILAX WIGHTII A.DC AN ENDEMIC MEDICINAL PLANT

Abstract

Smilax wightii A.DC is an endemic medicinal plant belongs to the family smilacaceae and distributed in Kodanadu, The Nilgiri Hills, The Western Ghats, Southern India. The callus was obtained at the concentration of 1.5+0.05 mg/I TDZ with NAA. Highest number of shoots was observed in 2.0+0.04 mg/l BAP + Kn and followed by 2.0+0.04mg/l. The multiplied shoots were harvested and used for rooting on half strength MS medium containing indole-3-butyric acid and naphthalene acetic acid within 45 days. The best rooting response was achieved on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l IBA. The well rooted plantlets were acclimatized and successfully transferred to natural condition, where 85% plantlets were survived