Regeneration of Indian ginseng plantlets from stem callus

The development of stem callus mediated plant regeneration system for Witha nia somnifera is described. Maximum callus proliferation was obtained on Mu rashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 2.26 muM 2,4-D. Three-week-old, white, friable callus was used for shoot regeneration. The maximum shoot re generation (6.2 +/- 0.34 shoots/explant) was achieved in four weeks when ca llus was cultured on MS medium fortified with 4.44 muM BA and 0.57 muM IAA. Regenerated shoots were excised and multiplied (8.4 +/- 0.43 shoots/explan t) on MS medium supplemented with 4.44 muM of BA. Multiple shoots were divi ded into single shoots and were rooted (5.1 +/- 0.49 rootlets/shoot) on hal f strength MS medium supplemented with 9.84 muM of IBA. After a hardening p hase of 3 weeks the plantlets were transferred to the field.