K. KARTHIKEYAN, C. CHANDRAN AND S. KULOTHUNGAN
Abstract
In vitro flowering and an efficient inicror.Top:igation protocols were developed for the aromatic medicinal herb Ocimum sanctum (Lamiaceae) by the in vitro culture of nodal segments of mature plant. Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/L 6-benzyl aminopurine (BAP) and 1.0 mg/L a-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) were found to develop fully functional flowers. MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/L BAP and 1 rng/L NAA induced an average of eight shoots per node and was the best for axillary bud proliferation. Subsequent cultures enhanced the number of shoots. Full strength MS solid medium with 1.5 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) exhibited the best in vitro rooting. Ninety five per cent of the rooted shoots survived when transferred to green house and subsequent to the field.