Micropropagation of serpgandha (Rauvolfia serpentina L. Benth): An endangered medicinal plant

An efficient protocol for propagation of Rauvolfia serpentina through in vitro culture was standardized. Of the various combinations of phytohormones evaluated, 0.5 mg L⁻¹ indole acetic acid (IAA) + 0.5 mg L⁻¹ benzyl amino purine (BAP) + 1.0 mg L⁻¹ kinetin highly favoured callus induction (32.8%). High callus-mediated shoot regeneration was seen on MS medium supplemented with 1.0mgL⁻¹ IAA+0.5mgL⁻¹ BAP+ 0.5 mg L⁻¹ kinetin. Low auxin (IAA, 0.5 mg L⁻¹) with higher concentration of cytokinin(0.5mgL⁻¹ BAP+1.0mgL⁻¹ kinetin) gavehighershootsculture⁻¹ (6.6) with mean shoot length of 3.2 cm. In direct shoot regeneration, best growth of axillary shoots was achieved in MS medium supplemented with 0.2 mg L⁻¹ IAA + 0.2 mg L⁻¹ BAP + 0.2 mg L⁻¹ kinetin with maximum shoots culture⁻¹ (10.0) and shoot length (4.4 cm). The root induction was highest (84.3%) in MS medium supplemented with IBA (0.5 mg L⁻¹). The rooted plantlets were successfully established in field.