Micropropagation of Melothria maderaspatana (Linn.) Cogn. through apical buds derived from mature plants

An effective micropropagation system was developed through an enriched culture system for Melothria maderaspatana, a traditional medicinal plant. Prolific shoots were achieved on an enriched MS medium containing 20% (v/v) watermelon juice, 15 g l –1 sucrose, 8 g l –1 agar and supplemented with 2.0 IM benzyladenine (BA), coconut water (CW) and casein hydrolysate (CH). A higher number of shoots (mean value = 32.7) were observed on an enriched MS medium supplemented with 2.0 IM BA, 5% (v/v) CW and 100 mg l –1 CH. The regenerated shoots of 40-50 mm length were dipped in 50 IM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) for 15 min and then transplanted into plastic pots containing a mixture of vermiculite and sand (80:20, v/v) to induce rooting. As a result, a mean of 10.4 roots per shoot with a length of 60-75 mm were produced. The in vitro raised plantlets with well-developed shoots and roots were established successfully in a greenhouse with 85% survival. Our study provides the first report on in vitro plant regeneration in M. maderaspatana. This system can be applied for mass propagation and germplasm conservation of M. maderaspatana.