Abstract:
Coscinium fenestratum (Gaertn.) Colebr. is
an important medicinal plant belonging to the family
Menispermaceae. Multiple shoots were formed from epicotyl
explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented
with 1.0 μM kinetin (Kin) and 0.25 μM 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy
acetic acid (2,4-D). A maximum of five shoots were obtained
from one explant in a 75-day culture period. The effect of
subsequent subcultures on shoot formation was also studied.
Repeated subculture favoured the increase in shoot length and
the number of shoots per explant in the media containing Kin
and 2,4-D. Higher concentrations of either cytokinin used:
butyric acid (BA) or Kin causes stunting of multiple shoots
with small and narrow leaves. After 100% in vitro rooting
was obtained in half-strength MS supplemented with 2.5 μM
Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), plantlets were transferred to ex
vitro conditions. Following a 15-day in vitro rooting period
and 12 days of ex vitro acclimatization, 66.7% of the plantlets
were established in the compost beds for another two months
to improve the leaf size and then transferred to the field with
100% survival rate. This protocol has the potential for use as a
tool for mass scale production of planting material.
