High frequency plant regeneration from shoot tip explants of Citrullus colocynthis (Linn.) Schrad. –An important medicinal herb

A high frequency and rapid regeneration protocol was developed from shoot tip explants of Citrullus colocynthis on MS medium supplemented with BAP (0.5 mg/l) and NAA (0.5 mg/l). Highest number of shoots (23.0 ± 0.567) was obtained on MS medium containing BAP (0.5 mg/l) and NAA (0.5 mg/l). The regenerated shoots were further elongated on same medium. In vitro shoots were excised from shoot clumps and transferred to rooting medium containing IBA (4.0 mg/l) with 0.2% activated charcoal. The rooted plants were hardened in polycups containing sterile soil and vermiculate and finally well established in the field; survival rate was 60%. This is the first report of direct in vitro plantlet regeneration in Citrullus colocynthis from shoot tip explant.