ESSENTIAL OIL PRODUCTION INCREASED BY USING VIRUS-FREE PATCHOULI PLANTS DERIVED FROM MERISTEM-TIP CULTURE

For the production of virus-free patchouli (Pogostemon cablin), isolat ed meristem tips were cultured on a medium supplemented with 0.2 ppm 6 -benzylaminopurine. Multiple shoot proliferation was initiated during the culture. Complete plantlets were regenerated by transferring multi ple shoots to a medium devoid of phytohormones. Plantlets thus produce d were transplanted to soil with a high rate of survival and tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to check elimination of pat chouli mild mosaic virus. Following further propagation by stem cuttin gs, virus-free plants were grown in the northern and southern parts of Mindanao Island, Philippines. Significant increases in biomass and es sential oil yield were observed in virus-free plants grown at both loc alities. Using gas chromatographic analyses, a full set of major sesqu iterpenes was detected in the essential oils recovered from virus-free patchouli plants. Reinfection of healthy clones with the virus took p lace within 4 months of cultivation in the field.