Induction of shoots from in vitro cultured roots of Oldenlandia umbellata L. – a dyeyielding plant

Shoots were regenerated from the cultured roots of Oldenlandia umbellata L. successfully for mass propagation on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. The nodal shoots were cultured on 3.0 mgl⁻¹ Benzylaminopurine (BAP) to induce nodal meristems. The shoots were multiplied well on MS liquid medium supplemented with 1.0 mgl⁻¹ BAP + 0.5 mgl⁻¹ Indole-3 acetic acid (IAA). Shoots were rooted on half strength MS medium supplemented with 2.5 mgl⁻¹ Indole-3 butyric acid (IBA). The in vitro produced roots were further used as explants to initiate root cultures to get secondary metabolites (anthraquinone derivatives/dye). The root pieces were cultured on half strength MS medium supplemented with IBA. The multiplied roots turned yellow in color within 4–5 weeks. Shoots were regenerated from the roots when the roots cultured on MS medium augmented with 1.0 mgl⁻¹ BAP. Again these shoots were rooted with help of IBA and the plantlets were hardened in green house.