In vitro micropropagation and callus induction in Scutellaria discolor colebr. – A medicinally important plant of Nepal

A medicinally important plant Scutellaria discolor (family Lamiaceae) was studied for in vitro rapid multiplication and callus induction. Cotyledons with shoot tip were found to be the most responsive explant in Murashige and Skoog medium based experiments. Maximum multiple shoot production was observed in the treatment containing Img/l BAP and 0.1 mg/l NAA. From one explant, 15–20 shoots can be obtained within a period of ten weeks. These shoots (six to eight leaves) produce roots in two to three weeks when placed in non-sterile sand. Plants were hardened by gradually exposing them to the external atmosphere and then transferred to earthen pots. In the next 12 to 15 weeks of time these plants flowered and. seed set was observed. Three auxins (NAA, 2, 4-D and IAA) at various concentrations were used individually for callus induction and 2,4-D was found to be most suitable.