In Vitro Culture of Pimpinella anisum L. (anise)

A simple In vitro protocol has been developed for large scale multiplication of plants from various explants of Pimpinella anisum L., a medicinally important plant belonging to family Apiaceae. Browning of cultures was observed during the maintenance. Frequent subculture at an interval of about 15–17 days was essential for obtaining embryogenic callus cultures and preventing browning of cultures. High frequency of multiple shoot formation was achieved from callus cultures derived from shoot apices, root and stem explants, and also from seed-derived calli. Somatic embryogenesis was observed in callus cultures derived from seeds and shoot apices. Complete plants developed from these embryoids. Direct regeneration of plantlets from shoot apices was also observed. Roots formation occurred in all the cultures. The requirement for exogenous auxin and cytokinin for differentiation was found to be varying in different tissues.