In vitro rapid and mass multiplication of highly valuable medicinal plant Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst.

Abstract

A protocol has been developed for micropropagation of Bacopa monnieri (L) Wettst, a medicinal plant of high commercial potential with legendary reputation as a memory vitalizer. Nodal segments containing axillary buds were surface sterilized with 0.1% solution of mercuric chloride for 5 min and were inoculated aseptically on culture medium, axillary bud break was achieved in 100% of cultures in semisolid MS medium supplemented with 0.2 mg/l BAP. These proliferated in vitro axillary shoots were excised and cut into groups of shoot clusters and subcultured on MS medium supplemented with 0.2 mg/l BAP for shoot multiplication. 100% in vitro rooting was obtained when shoot clusters were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 0.15 mg/l IBA. The rooted plantlets were hardened, acclimatized and successfully established in field.

Key words: Bacopa monnieri, nodal segments, micropropagation, plant growth regulators.