Somatic embryogenesis and plantlet regeneration in ‘Safed Musli’ (Chlorophytum borivilianum)

A method for somatic embryogenesis and plant/et regeneration in ‘Safed Musli’ (Chlorophytum borivilianum) is described. Callus was induced from immature zygotic embryos inoculated on MS medium containing 1.0 mgl⁻¹ 2,4-D. Initially, callus was slow growing, soft, watery and slimy. After six weeks of growth and subsequent subculture on MS medium containing 0.5 mgl⁻¹ 2,4-D, yellow, compact, hard, nodular, shiny somatic embryos were developed. Embryogenic cultures were maintained by repeated subculturing every four weeks on MS medium containing 0.25 mgl⁻¹ 2,4-D. Concentration of 2,4-D was further reduced to 0.1 mg⁻¹ for maturation of these embryos. Plantlets could be recovered from 20 per cent of these somatic embryos when inoculated on auxin free MS medium and the cultures were transferred to light. Precocious germination of somatic embryos and profuse rooting was frequently observed.