In vitro Mass Multiplication of Acorus calamus L. - An Endangered Medicinal Plant

A rapid and efficient in vitro propagation protocol of Acorus calamus L. an important endangered medicinal plant has been developed. Naturally grown rhizome segments were used as explants for initial culture. Surface sterilized rhizome segments were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with various concentrations (0.5 mg l 3.0 mg l ) of cytokinins (BAP, Kn) and auxins (IAA, IBA, NAA, 2, 4-D) 1 1 individually as well as in various combinations. Among auxins, highest number of shoots (4.2) was observed on MS medium containing 3.0 mg l NAA. The better shoot multiplication (4.4) was observed on MS medium 1 containing BAP (2.0 mg l ) in combination with NAA (0.5 mg l ) where 90% of explants showed proliferation. 1 1 In vitro regenerated shoots (3.0 cm long) were excised aseptically and implanted on MS half and full strength medium fortified with various concentrations (0.5 mg l 2.0 mg l ) of IBA and NAA in an attempt to produce 1 1 roots. Excised shoots failed to develop roots on half and full strength MS medium devoid of growth regulators. Half strength MS medium having 1.0 mg l IBA was found better with 50% root formation after 15.0 days of 1 inoculation with a maximum number of roots (5.0). Higher concentrations of IBA (1.5 mg l and 2.0 mg l ) 1 1 showed decreased per cent of root formation. The rooted plantlets were successfully acclimatized in pots containing sterilized soil and sand mixture (3:1) with 75% survival rate in the field conditions. Abbreviations: BAP 6-Benzyl aminopurine Kn Kinetin IAA Indole-3-acetic acid IBA Indole-3-butyric acid NAA Naphthalene acetic acid 2, 4-D 2 4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid