Direct adventitious shoot regeneration in Piper longum L. from spike explants

Direct shoot regeneration was achieved from fruit spike explants of Piper longum L. Spike explants cultured on growth regulator-free basal MS medium showed no sign of bud break even after 30 days. Addition of a TDZ was essential to induce bud break and multiple shoot formation from the explants. The maximum response (26.0 per cent) observed in the media supplemented with 0.25 mg l-1 TDZ with average (16.80) number of shoot buds and (3.60) number of elongated shoot. Elongated shoots were carefully excised and rooted on previously established rooting media e.g. basal MS + 1.0 mg l-1 IBA, with 80 per cent rooting. Rooted explants successfully hardened in Soil: Sand: FYM (1:1:1) with 60% success.