Micropropagation of Rhododendron campanulatum D.Don Growing in Kashmir Himalaya

Rhododendron campanulatum D.Don belongs to family Ericaceae, is an ornamental and medicinal plant which is commonly known as ‘Nichnai’ in Kashmir. During the present study, in vitro propagation strategies were used for micropropagation of Rhododendron campanulatum. Seeds of R. campanulatum were inoculated on Anderson Rhododendron basal medium (ARM) and also ARM supplemented with various auxins and cytokinins in different combinations and concentrations. Seed germination was observed on Anderson Rhododendron basal medium (ARM) and ARM + BAP (3mg/l) within 35.34 and 30.42 days of culture respectively. Seed germination was also observed on basal WPM as well as on WPM +2,4-D (4mg/l), WPM+BAP (1mg/l), WPM+BAP (2mg/l) respectively. In addition, callus production as well as shoot formation was observed on ARM supplemented with 2,4-D (3 and 4 mg/l) within 56.41 and 70.16 days respectively. Callus obtained from seed explants was subcultured on WPM supplemented with different cytokinins having different combinations. Among different cytokinin-cytokinin combinations used, WPM+2ip(2mg/l)+TDZ (4mg/l) induced maximum mean number 4.6±0.3 of shoots. The in vitro raised plantlets were acclimatized using cocopeat & perlite having different ratios as well as in garden soil under greenhouse conditions.