In vitro Shoot Multiplication of a Seasonal and Vulnerable Medicinal Plant-Aerva lanata L.

The present contribution focused on standardization of in vitro propagation protocols of Aerva lanata, an important medicinal plant used in diverse traditional system of medicine. MS and L2 media supplemented with auxins and cytokinins were used to test the in vitro growth response of explants. L2 media showed positive growth response and complete plant regeneration upon subsequent subculture. Using leaf segments and shoot tips as explants, callusing, shoot multiplication and rhizogenesis were obtained. L2 media fortified with 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2.5 mg L-1) and benzylaminopurine (1.5 mg L-1) was standardized as the suitable medium for highest number (17 shoots per shoot tip) of shoot production and half strength L2 media with naphthaleneacetic acid (2 mg L-1) for rooting (3.2 cm in 36 days). Hardening of rooted plants was successful on 1:1:1 ratio of Soil rite:Coco peat:Vermiculite, later plants were transferred to pots containing sterile soil and maintained in Green house then planted in the field. The survival rate was between 65 and 70%. The method established could be adopted for rapid large scale micro propagation and conservation of this important vulnerable medicinal herb.