In vitro propagation of Coscinium fenestratum (Gaertn.) Colebr. (Menispermaceae) - an endangered medicinal plant

Abstract: Coscinium fenestratum (Gaertn.) Colebr. is an important medicinal plant belonging to the family Menispermaceae. Multiple shoots were formed from epicotyl explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1.0 μM kinetin (Kin) and 0.25 μM 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D). A maximum of five shoots were obtained from one explant in a 75-day culture period. The effect of subsequent subcultures on shoot formation was also studied. Repeated subculture favoured the increase in shoot length and the number of shoots per explant in the media containing Kin and 2,4-D. Higher concentrations of either cytokinin used: butyric acid (BA) or Kin causes stunting of multiple shoots with small and narrow leaves. After 100% in vitro rooting was obtained in half-strength MS supplemented with 2.5 μM Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), plantlets were transferred to ex vitro conditions. Following a 15-day in vitro rooting period and 12 days of ex vitro acclimatization, 66.7% of the plantlets were established in the compost beds for another two months to improve the leaf size and then transferred to the field with 100% survival rate. This protocol has the potential for use as a tool for mass scale production of planting material.

Keywords: Conservation, Coscinium fenestratum, Menis- permaceae, micropropagation.

Doi: 10.4038/jnsfsr.v38i4.2648

J.Natn.Sci.Foundation Sri Lanka 2010 38 (4): 219-223