DEVELOPMENT OF In vitro PROPAGATION PROTOCOL OF Aconitum nagarum Stapf.

Aconitum nagarum belongs to the family Ranunculaceae, a highly valuable herb due to rich content of diterpenoid alkaloid. Owing to its high medicinal value, the demand of A. nagarum has increased many folds which have pushed the species in threatened category. Present study was aimed to establish in vitro culture system for production of cloning planting materials. The stratified seeds (4°C for 96 h) germinated on MS medium enriched with sucrose (3%, w/v) and BA (6 µM) where ~20% germination registered. The shoot buds were excised out from the seedlings developed from the germinated seeds and used for in vitro culture initiation. About 95% explants responded positively and induced morphogenesis on MS medium fortified with sucrose (3%) and BA (6 µM) where as many as 16 shoot buds developed from each explant. Of the different batch of explants cultured, shoot buds cultured during winter registered optimum morphogenetic response. The plants regeneration and proliferation was achieved on subsequent subcultures on optimum initiation medium. The micro shoots produced roots on MS medium fortified with NAA (5 µM). The hardened plants were transferred to potting mix and registered ~65% survival after two months of transfer.