Micropropagation of endemic Scutellaria orientalis L. subsp bicolor using modified MS medium & TDZ

Abstract

Scutellaria orientalis L. subsp. bicolor (HOCHST.) Edmondson is a perennial endemic shrub bearing pale grey-white flowers that grows on marginal lands. They have high value as rock garden plants and in managed arid land scaping. They are also important medicinally for valuable secondary metabolites of pharmaceutical importance. The study compared effects of 1 and 2 x KH2PO4 concentrated MS medium for micropropagation of the plant using cotyledon leaf, cotyledon petiole, cotyledon node and hypocotyl explants. Variable number of healthy green shoots were regenerated on above mentioned explants variants of TDZ in 2 x KH2PO4 concentrated MS medium with maximum shoot regeneration on cotyledon node explants on 0.04 mu g/ml TDZ. These were rooted on 1 x KH2PO4 concentrated MS medium containing 0.50 mu g/ml NAA. All developing plants were acclimatised in greenhouse to flower and set seeds. The study serve to provide basic information on role 2 x KH2PO4 for Scutellaria mass propagation and will help in breeding and genetic transformation studies in future.