In vitro micropropagation of Gymnema sylvestre - A multipurpose medicinal plant

The nature of the explant, seedling age, medium type, plant growth regulato rs, complex extracts (casein hydrolysate, coconut milk, malt extract and ye ast extract) and antioxidants (activated charcoal, ascorbic acid, citric ac id and polyvinylpyrrolidone) markedly influenced in vitro propagation of Gy mnema sylvestre. A maximum number of shoots (57.2) were induced from 30 day old seedling axillary node explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium con taining 6-benzyladenine (1 mg l(-1)), kinetin (0.5 mg l(-1)), 1-napthalene acetic acid (0.1 mg l(-1)), malt extract (100 mg l(-) (1)) and citric acid (100 mg l(-1)). High frequency of rooting was obtained in axillary node exp lant derived shoots (50%) on half strength MS medium supplemented with IBA (3 mg l(-1)). The plantlets, thus developed, were hardened and successfully established in natural soil.