چکیده (انگلیسی):

Objective: Present study reports the various factors affecting somatic embryogenesis and
in vitro flowering in Hybanthus enneaspermus (L.) F. Muell.
Methods: The effect of the salts strength of Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium,
concentration of sucrose and plant growth regulators were analyzed for the induction of
direct somatic embryogenesis using nodal segments as explants.
Results: High frequency of somatic embryogenesis was reported on full strength MS
medium (with 3% sucrose) and additives supplemented with 0.5 mg/L
6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.25 mg/L indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Maximum
somatic embryos (207.0 ± 4.2) were germinated on 1/2 strength MS medium augmented
with 0.5 mg/L BAP. Microscopic studies revealed the typical developmental patterns in
somatic embryogenesis from globular to heart-shaped and followed by bipolar torpedoshaped
somatic embryos from nodal explants. The plantlets raised from the somatic
embryos resulted in flowering on full strength MS medium augmented with 1.0 mg/L
each of BAP and Kinetin (Kin) + 0.5 mg/L IAA at 50 mmol/(m2$s) SFPD for 13 h/
d photoperiod. About 92% plantlets were successfully acclimatized in the greenhouse.
Field transferred plants exhibit normal flowering and fruit setting.
Conclusions: The study could be exploited for large scale propagation of true to type
plants as conservation strategies of this rare and endemic medicinal plant.