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RHIZOGENESIS
(April-June, 2010)
FROM IN VITRO LEAVES
SHORT COMMUNICATION
DIRECT RHIZOGENESIS FROM IN VITRO LEAVES OF WITHANIA SOMNIFERA (L.)
DUNAL
K. MOHAMED RAFI, A. ASLAM, S. KOHILA1, J. TANWEER AND A. SHAJAHAN*
PG & Research Department of Botany, Jamal Mohamed College, Tiruchirappali-620 020, Tamil Nadu
Departrment of Biotechnology, Mother Terasa Women's University, Attuvampatty Campus, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu
Received on 20 July, 2009, Revised on 24 May, 2010
Direct in vitro rhizogenesis was induced in Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal leaf segments using
exogenous addition of auxins. Among the four types of explants (internodal, nodal, young leaf and mature
leaf segments), young leaves responded better and formed roots in the midrib region on the contact
surface when placed on Murashige and Skoogs (MS) basal medium containing various types (IAA,
IBA and NAA) and concentrations of auxins. The strength of the MS media (1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and fullstrength) treatments had apparent effect on rooting. Maximum rooting in young leaf (95%) occurred in
strength MS + IAA medium. The other types of auxins were good for inducing root in other explants.
Only 20 percent of the cultures produced roots if explants were grown on full-strength MS medium
supplemented with IBA.
Key words: Auxins, rhizogenesis, Withania somnifera
Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal also known as
Aswhagandha, Indian ginseng and winter cherry has
been an important herb in the ayurvedic and indigenous
medicinal systems for over 3000 years. Historically, its
tuber has been used as an aphrodisiac, liver tonic, antiinflammatory agent, astringent and more recently to treat
bronchitis, asthma, ulcers, emaciation, insomnia and
senile dementia. Clinical trial and animal research support
the use of Aswhagandha for anxiety, cognitive and
neurological disorder, inflammation and Parkinsons
disease. It is an ingredient of many formulations
prescribed for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions and
as general health tonic for elderly persons and lactating
mothers (Sangwan et al. 2004).
In light of varied pharmacological applications of W.
somnifera roots, in vitro root culture offers several
advantageous characteristics over field grown crop.
173
174
Indian J. Plant Physiol., Vol. 15, No. 2, (N.S.) pp. 173-176 (April-June, 2010)
Internodal segments
% No. of roots Root
response / explant length
Nodal segments
IAA
0.00
0.25
0.50
0.75
1.00
2.00
3.00
80
82
87
92
95
94
91
3+0.2
2+0.5
Callus
Callus
2.8+0.1
-
85
86
89
93
97
92
90
Callus
Callus
80
87
92
95
94
90
87
5+0.7
11+0.3
8+0.5
Callus
Callus
3.9+0.2
2.7+0.4
-
82
86
89
90
92
87
85
4+0.2
6+0.5
Callus
Callus
2.5+0.5
2.9+0.2
-
82
87
90
92
95
93
91
Callus
Callus
Callus
85
82
91
95
96
93
87
2+0.3
Callus
Callus
2.1+0.3
-
87
89
93
95
97
92
90
5+0.3
3+0.7
Callus
Callus
3.1+0.5
2.8+0.3
-
85
87
92
95
97
92
90
3+0.5
2+0.2
Callus
Callus
2.6+0.3
2.1+0.5
-
82
87
93
95
92
90
83
Callus
Callus
Callus
Callus
77
80
85
92
95
93
81
Callus
Callus
Callus
Callus
87
90
92
95
93
91
85
2.5+0.5
2.8+0.5
Callus
Callus
2.5+0.3
2.1+0.2
-
75
80
87
90
92
87
82
2.3+2
Callus
Callus
Callus
1.5+0.4
-
IBA
0.00
0.25
0.50
0.75
1.00
2.00
3.00
NAA
0.00
0.25
0.50
0.75
1.00
2.00
3.00
Indian J. Plant Physiol., Vol. 15, No. 2, (N.S.) pp. 173-176 (April-June, 2010)
175
25
18
16
20
Number of roots
Number of roots
14
15
10
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
12 hrs
1 week in 3 weeks in 4 weeks in
photoperioddark with 12 dark 12 hrs
dark
hrs
photoperiod
photoperiod
0
1.00X
0.75X
0.50X
0.25X
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
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176
Indian J. Plant Physiol., Vol. 15, No. 2, (N.S.) pp. 173-176 (April-June, 2010)