AN EFFICIENT DIRECT ORGANOGENESIS PROTOCOL FOR Hygrophila auriculata (K. Schum.) – AN IMPORTANT AYURVEDIC PLANT

An efficient micropropagation protocol was developed for a well-known Ayurvedic medicinal plant Hygrophila auriculata (Kokilasha). Three different explants – leaf disc, nodal and petiole were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with various concentrations of plant growth regulators (PGR). High frequency shoot bud proliferation (96%) was obtained from leaf disc cultured on medium supplemented with BAP (1 mg/L) and IAA (0.5 mg/L). The type of explant and combination of PGR played significant role in the development of shoot regeneration. BAP concentration, significantly affected the microshoots formation. However, media devoid of PGR enhanced shoot elongation. Rooting of elongated shoots was achieved best on half strength MS medium supplemented with ­IBA (0.5 mg/L). The rooted plantlets were successfully acclimatized in greenhouse with 90 % of survival ratio. This in vitro regeneration protocol can be used for rapid propagation and conservation of Hygrophila auriculata.