In-Vitro Regeneration of Costus Speciosus (KOEN.) Smith using pseudostem nodal explants

Mass propagation of Costus speciosus (Koen ex. Retz) using nodal pseudostem as an explant was investigated. For this purpose, the MS media were supplemented with various growth regulators. Increase in the number of shoots(2.5 ± 0.64) with increased shoot length (4.15 ± 0.30 cm) was observed with 2 mg/l Kinetin and 2 mg/l BAP + 1 mg/l Kinetin respectively. With 2mg/l 2, 4 - D, highest number of roots (8.2 ± 1.03) were observed while highest root length (4.65 ± 0.54 cm) was recorded with 3 mg/l 2, 4 - D. Rooted plantlets were kept for hardening on the mixture of garden soil, farmyard manure and sand (2: 1: 1). Good survival rate of 90% was observed and all micro-propagated plants were healthy.