Efficient plant regeneration from leaf explants of Bacopa monniera (L.) Wettst. : A threatened medicinal herb

An efficient plant regeneration protocol was developed from leaf and internode (stem) explants of Bacopa monniera L. on MS basal medium, supplemented with Cytokinins like BAP, KN, and TDZ used singly. The leaf cultures expressed maximum plant regeneration potential with 138.9 ± 0.50 shoots per explants on MS + 2.0 mg/ l BAP. The in vitro regenerated dwarf shoots were further elongated on MS medium supplemented with GA3 (0.5 mg/l). In vitro shoots about 3-4cm was then excised from shoot clumps and transferred to rooting medium containing 2.0mg/l IBA. Green and robust shoots developed and successfully rooted within 15 days of culture on rooting medium. The rooted plantlets were hardened on half strength MS basal liquid medium and subsequently transferred to polycups containing vermiculate, sand and soil in the ratio of 1: 2: 2. In vitro plantlets were finally transferred to a green house where 90% plants survived.