Standardization of micropropagation from nodal segments of costus pictus- an anti-diabetic plant

Medicinal plants are widely used in traditional and modern system of medicine. Indiscriminate collection of these plants from the natural habitats is leading to their depletion. Hence there is a need to conserve and propagate important medicinal plants. The present study was taken up to standardize micropropagation protocol from nodal segments of Costus pictus. The explants were cultured on SH media supplemented with different concentrations and combination of BAP alone and in combination with IBA, IAA, NAA, KN and AdSo4 (Adenine sulphate) for inducing direct regeneration. Shoot buds appeared within 15-20 days and elongated to produce one to two shoots within one week. Among all combinations, highest shoot regeneration (86%) was observed in SH media with 1 mg/l BAP+ 1 mg/l IBA+25 mg/l AdSo4. To induce rooting, regenerated shoots were transferred to SH media with different concentrations of IAA and IBA. Roots appeared in both the combinations within 2-3 weeks. Among the two combinations, 1 mg/l IBA gave more rooting response (63%). Regenerated plantlets were transferred to field with 92% survival rate.