In Vitro Conservation of Bacopa Monnieri Germplasm: A Critically Endangered Medicinal Plant of Madhya Pradesh

Bacopa monnieri (L) is an endangered important medicinal plant of Madhya Pradesh, India. In the present study, wild accessions of Bacopa monnieri (L.) were collected from 14 (BMG1–14) out of 30 districts visited in Madhya Pradesh, between years 2008–2009. The bioactive molecule, Bacoside-A content among the accessions, analyzed by HPLC method, varied from 3.5mg/g (BMG-11)-13.2mg/g (BMG-3) dry powder. Leaf explants cultured on different levels of BAP (2.22uM-35.5 uM) showed indirect organogenesis while on Kinetin (2.33uM-37.2uM) direct organogenesis. Plant regeneration was achieved on 2.22uM BAP and all the Kn supplemented media. Maximum number of shoots per explant and high percentage of plant regeneration was recorded on 13.95 uM Kn. In vitro plant regeneration from leaf explants of 14 accessions (BMG1–14) was observed within 30–40 days on MS +13.95uM/l Kn +2% suc~rose medium. Regeneration response varied between 26 to 94%, with maximum response from BMG-4 and the lowest in BMG-14. Regenerated plants were successfully transferred to field conditions. Thus, the study shows successful collection and in vitro conservation of Bacopa monneiri germplasm of MP.