REGENERATION VIA SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS FROM SEED EXPLANT OF MEDICINAL PLANT SOLANUM VIRGINIANUM (L.)

Solanum virginianum (L.) belonging to family Solanaceae is an important medicinal plant, used in traditional ayurvedic medicines. It is one of the ten constituents of “Dashmoola”. Present work deals with the development of efficient procedure for inducing somatic embryogenesis followed by regeneration of Solanum virginianum (L.). Initially, seeds of S. virginianum were used as explant and inoculated on ½ MS basal medium. The stem explant from in vitro germinated seeds was used for callus induction. MS medium supplemented with BAP (1mg/L) was used for callus induction. Callus proliferation started when initiated callus was subcultured on different concentrations and combination of BAP, IAA, IBA, 2,4-D and NAA. Where highest embryogenesis took place in BAP (2mg/l)+IAA(5mg/l) combination. The somatic embryos were transferred onto MS basal medium for maturation. These embryos matured and were converted into complete plantlets with well developed shoot and root system.