Effect of Cytokinins on In vitro Propagation of Boucerosia umbellata (Haw.) Wight & Arn. (Syn.: Caralluma umbellata Haw.) from Nodal Explants of Field Grown Plants

An efficient protocol was described for the rapid in vitro multiplication of medicinal plant Boucerosia umbellata via enhanced axillary bud proliferation from nodal explants collected from young shoots of three-month-old field grown plants. Effects of cytokinins 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), Thiadiazuron (TDZ), Kinetin (Kin) and 2-isopentenyl adenine (2iP) individually and in combination have been investigated. MS medium supplemented with BAP (2 mg/l) and TDZ (1 mg/l) gave maximum response for multiple shoot induction with a shoot sprouting frequency of 86% and mean shoot number of 3.9±0.16 per node and 2.04±0.05 cm shoot length. Rooting was best achieved on ½ strength MS (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) medium supplemented with Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) (0.1 mg/l). The regenerated plantlets were successfully established in the garden with 73% survival rate.