In vitro callus induction and plant regeneration from internodal explants of Caralluma stalagmifera Fischer

An in vitro regeneration protocol through internodal callus culture has been standardized for the medicinal herb Caralluma stalagmifera Fischer. The explant induced callus on MS medium supplemented with various concentrations of growth regulators like 2,4-D, 2,4,5-T, 2,4,5-TP, Picloram, Dicamba, NAA, IAA, IBA, BAP, KN, 2-iP and Zeatin. The optimized callus induction occurred at the concentration of 2.0 mg/l 2,4-D. After initiation of callus, it was immediately transferred onto the regeneration medium for the plantlet regeneration. Shoots were regenerated from the surface of the callus on MS medium supplemented with BAP 2.0 mg/l + NAA 0.5 mg/l and regeneration of plantlets with 60% of frequency with 3.15 shoots/ explants were noted. The microshoots rooted well on ½ MS medium supplemented with NAA 0.5 mg/l. Regenerated shoots formed complete plantlets on medium containing 0.5 mg/l NAA and mature plants were established, acclimatized and thrived in green house conditions and 70% of the field capacity was observed. This protocol is suitable to produce number of plants from internodal explants of Caralluma stalagmifera.