Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in Gymnema sylvestre

Abstract

Somatic embryogenesis and whole plant regeneration were achieved in callus cultures derived from hypocotyl, cotyledon and leaf explants excised from seedlings of Gymnema sylvestre. Embryogenic callus was induced on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 2,4-D (0.5–5.0 μM) +BA (0.5–2.0 μM) and 2% (w/v) sucrose in 6–8 weeks of culture. Globular/heart stage embryos developed on induction medium. These embryos produced torpedo and cotyledon stage embryos upon sub-culturing on embryo maturation medium EM8 (medium containing MS salts, B5 vitamins, 0.5 μM BA and 2% sucrose). Embryo germination and plantlet formation was achieved by sub-culturing mature embryos on fresh EM8 medium. The plantlets were acclimatized in the greenhouse.