Induction of callogenesis in Ipomoea obscura (L.) Ker- Gawl, a little known medicinal plant

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to explore the potentiality of in vitro micropropagation (by callus induction) of Ipomoea obscura (Convolvulaceae), a perennial herb. This medicinal plant grows widely throughout Indian subcontinent. Axenically grown cotyledonary leaves regenerated into profuse calli, in various combinations of naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4 D) with  benzylaminopurine (BAP). Microroots emerged from these calli when subjected to various combinations of NAA and BAP. Maximum number of root meristems and microroots were formed in 1.25 mg/L NAA with the combination of 0.5 mg/L BAP (1:4 v/v). Leaf, nodal and internodal segments as explants were cultured on MS media containing 2,4 D at 0.5, 1.25, 2.50, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/L, for callus induction. Only leaf tips initiated callogenesis with highest response at 10 mg/l 2,4 D and lowest with 0.5 mg/l 2.4 D. This is the first report of in vitro response of I. obscura.

Key words: Callogenesis, Ipomoea obscura, in vitro culture.