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8450350 
Journal Article 
Large scale production of withania somnifera (L.) dunal using in vitro techniques 
Kannan, P; Ebenezer, G; Dayanandan, P; Abraham, GC; Ignacimuthu, S 
2005 
1 
Phytomorphology
ISSN: 0031-9449 
55 
3-4 
259-266 
English 
The morphogenetic potential of somatic explants (apical and nodal bud) and embryos of Withania somnifera was studied on Murashige & Skoog's medium fortified with various growth substances. Plant growth regulators namely 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy acetic acid, α-naphthalene acetic acid, indolyl-3- acetic acid, indolyl-3- butyric acid, kinetin, Giberellic acid and 6-benzyladenine were tested as supplements in the medium. In the comparative evaluation nodal buds responded better than shoot tip apices by producing super-numerary shoot clusters on medium augmented with higher level of cytokinins. However, nodal shoot buds from mature field grown plants showed only poor response. Embryo expiants responded poorly irrespective of medium supplementation. Besides the frequency and mean shoot number, the nature of shoots raised from somatic explants was variable and plant growth regulator specific. It is evident from repeated observations that a culture sequence involving the initial establishment of nodal buds on medium incorporated with 6-benzyladenine (10μM) in combination with 0.1μM of NAA & Kinetin (1μM), followed by the transfer to rooting medium containing α-napthaleneacetic acid (0.1μM) yielded as many as >60 potable plants from a single nodal bud after 6 weeks. Such plants were hardened efficiently and transferred to the field. This protocol can be used for large-scale production of Withania sonmifera. 
Nodal bud; Plantlets; Regeneration; Withania somnifera