RAPID MICROPROPAGATION OF WOODFORDIA-FRUTICOSA (L) KURZ (LYTHRACEAE),A RARE MEDICINAL PLANT

A rapid propagation method comprising initiation of in vitro shoot tip culture from field-grown flowering plants and reculture of the nodal segments of regenerated shoots in Schenk and Hildebrandt (1972) medium was developed for Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz., a rare medicinal s hrub. A medium supplement of 6-benzylaminopurine (0.2 mg.1(-1)) induce d high frequency (88%) development of axillary shoot buds (3.2) in 4-5 weeks. Subculture of the explants with multiple new shoots in fresh m edium for 30 days yielded an even larger number (9.7) of shoots. Highe st multiplication (26-35 shoots) was recorded when using culture initi ation media with 0.5 mg.1(-1) each of BAP and NAA followed by subcultu re in 0.2 mg.1(-1) BAP. The shoot multiplication rate was further acce lerated by reculturing 0.4 - 0.6 cm nodal segments of regenerated shoo ts in media with 1.0 mg.1(-1) BAP. Shoot cuttings (3.5-7.0 cm) were ro oted in 0.2 mg.1(-1) IAA. Regenerated plants displayed uniform morphol ogical, growth and flowering characteristics.