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In Vitro Studies in ‘Poshita’ Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera L.): Effect of Gibberellin and Auxins

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Abstract

Experiments were conducted to study the effect of various growth regulators on in vitro responses in an improved cultivar ‘Poshita’ of ashwagandha. During the first study, different levels of gibberellic acid were tried to find out the optimum concentration for micro-shoot elongation and their subsequent effect on rooting in auxin enriched media. Results revealed that gibberellic acid at all levels improved the shoot length, but the higher concentrations had detrimental effects. Micro-shoots elongated on gibberellic acid supplemented media but showed poor rooting as compared to shoots obtained from non gibberellic acid media. In the second approach, callus induction as affected by auxin (naphthalene acetic acid or 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid) concentrations (1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 mg/l) explant (epicotyls, hypocotyls, leaves, nodes and root tips) interaction was studied. Naphthalene acetic acid was found to be better source of auxin for induction of calli as compared to 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid. The callogenic response varied greatly within different explants. Maximum calli without necrotic patches and other deformities were obtained from nodal explants, whereas the callogenesis was poor in root tip explants. The differential callogenic responses obtained through studied combinations could serve as a ready-reckoner for researchers working on this variety of ashwagandha.

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Acknowledgments

The senior author is thankful to the Indian Council for Agricultural Research, New Delhi for providing financial assistance in the form of research fellowship. Thanks are also due to CIMAP, RC, Bengaluru for providing seeds.

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  1. Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory, Department of Horticulture, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK Campus, Bengaluru, 560065, Karnataka, India

    Ajit Arun Waman & B. N. Sathyanarayana

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  1. Ajit Arun Waman
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  2. B. N. Sathyanarayana
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Correspondence to Ajit Arun Waman.

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Waman, A.A., Sathyanarayana, B.N. In Vitro Studies in ‘Poshita’ Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera L.): Effect of Gibberellin and Auxins. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., India, Sect. B Biol. Sci. 84, 743–748 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40011-013-0288-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40011-013-0288-1

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