<i>In vitro</i> conservation of <i>Ceropegia elegans</i>, an endemic plant of South India

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop in vitro techniques for conserving endemic species, Ceropegia elegans by axillary shoot multiplication. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with kinetin (Kn) 23.20 μM + indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) 5.71 μM was the best for axillary bud proliferation inducing a mean of 7.11 ± 0.07 shoots per node. Shoots developed were rooted best on half strength MS medium with 4.90 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Plantlets established in pots exhibited 72% survival rate.

Keywords: Ceropegia elegans, endemic species, micropropagation