In vitro microrhizome production in Decalepis hamiltonii

Microrhizomes were produced from leaf disc derived callus of a threatened endemic medicinal plant - Decalepis hamiltonii. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2 mM 6-benzyleaminopurine (BAP) and 6 mM 1-napthaleneacetic (NAA) acid was found to be optimum for rapid callus induction and establishment from leaf disc explants. Further differentiation of callus into microrhizome was conquered in MS medium supplemented with 4 mM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 8 mM NAA. A maximum of 20 microrhizomes in a cluster was produced within 90 days. Yeast extract (0.05%) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (0.05%) further enhanced the microrhizome formation when supplemented along with plant growth regulators (PGRs).Keywords: Decalepis hamiltonii, microrhizome, herbal medicine, secondary metabolitesAfrican Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 13(11), 1308-131