In Vitro Method for Propagation of Centella asiatica (L) Urban by Shoot Tip Culture

Abstract

A rapid clonal propagation system has been developed for the medicinally important herb Centella asiatica (L) Urban by shoot tip (2–3 cm long) culture. The shoot tips isolated from mature plants were inoculated on MS medium incorporated with BA alone or in combination with NAA and Kn. The optimum number of shoots (3.38) with optimum number of leaves per shoot (4.25) were attained on MS medium supplemented with 4.0 mg l⁻¹ BA and 0.1 mg l⁻¹ NAA. On transferring the microshoots on full strength MS medium supplemented with various concentrations of IBA (1.0-3.0 mg l⁻¹) and NAA (0.5-2.0 mg l⁻¹), profuse rooting (46.8 per shoot) was obtained in MS basal medium with 2.0 mg l⁻¹ IBA with root length of 19.7 cm. Well rooted plantlets were acclimatized successfully by adjusting the temperature and humidity for 3–4 weeks after transfer to pots filled with sterilized vermiculite soil: sand (1:1)mixture. This micropropgation protocol could be useful for raising a stock of genetically homogenous material for field cultivation within a very short period.