In vitro Plantlet Regeneration from Nodal Explant and Callus Induction of Vernonia amygdalina Delile

Vernonia amygdalina is a vegetable and medicinal plant used to treat various ailments such as diabetes, malaria, gastrointestinal disorders, and parasitic infections. The present study investigated the effect of supplementing different concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) either alone or in combination to Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium on in vitro plantlet regeneration of V. amygdalina from nodal explants. Control treatment without plant growth regulators was ideal for in vitro plantlet regeneration of V. amygdalina. In vitro plantlets regenerated from nodal explants supplemented with BAP and/or NAA showed growth abnormalities including chlorosis, basal callus, and excessive adventitious rooting. Callus cultures were induced from leaf explants on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of BAP, NAA, and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) either alone or in combination. Maximum callus induction frequency (100%) was recorded in leaf explants cultured on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 – 2.0 mg/L 2,4-D. Fresh weight of calli increased up to 11-fold when treated with 0.5 mg/L 2,4-D after 8 weeks of culture