IN-VITRO MICROPROPAGATION OF RAUWOLFIA SERPENTINE THROUGH MULTIPLE SHOOT GENERATION

Shoot tips and nodal segment explants to Rauwolfia serpentina when cultured on MS medium containing varying concentration of Benzyl adenine purine (BAP) and Benzyl adenine purine in combination with Indole butyric acid (IBA) produced multiple shoots. Maximum multiple shoots (85.6%) were found in static MS medium supplemented with 5.0 mg/ 1 BAP and 0.5 mg / 1 IBA along with 2.5% sucrose and 0.85% agar. The developed shoots after one month were excised from the culture tube and implanted individually on static MS medium with varying concentration of IBA and Indole butyric acid (IBA). Maximum rooting (76.6%) was observed in 0.5 mg/1 IBA after 27 days. Regenerated plantlets were successfully acclimatized and established in soil. About 74% of plantlets survived under open field conditions.