In vitro callus induction in inflorescence segments of medicinally important endangered plant Rauwolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz – a step towards ex situ conservation

The regenerative competence of inflorescence segments of Rauwolfia serpentina was assessed in M (Mitra et al ., 1976) medium and its combinations with growth adjuncts such as cytokinins [N 6 -benzyladenine (6-BA - 0.5, 1.0 mg l -1 ), furfurylaminopurine (Kn-0.5, 1.0mg l -1 ) and auxin [α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA - 0.5, 1.0 mg l -1 )]. Inflorescence segments (1.00 cm in length) were used as explants. The regeneration response was obligatory to the use of growth regulators in the medium. Cytokinins favoured shoot bud mediated pathway of plantlet development and BAP favoured early shooting . The explants callused in NAA enriched medium. The callus was best maintained in NAA ( 0.5 mg l -1 ) through repeated sub-culturing. The entire plant of R. serpentina is the target of massive commercial collections resulting into shrinking habitats. Present study is the first ever report on the successful use of inflorescence segments for ex situ conservation of R. serpentina .