In vitro Culture and Biochemical Attributes of Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) Sternb.

Bergenia ciliata is one of the medicinally important and vulnerable plants of Kashmir Himalaya. A highly reproducible tissue culture protocol of B. ciliata vis-a-vis evaluating its biochemical attributes was studied. The best response for callus formation was obtained on Gamborg’s half strength medium with thidiazuron (2 mg/l) and 1-napthlene acetic acid (2 mg/l) after 6 weeks. Maximum number of 54 shoots were obtained on B5 ½ strength medium + 6-benzylaminopurine 2 mg/l + indole-3-acetic acid 1 mg/l. The complete plants were acclimatised in lab and then transferred to green house conditions with survival rate of 65 %. The in vitro raised, wild plant leaves and callus of B. ciliata were evaluated for biochemical attributes (chlorophyll, carotenoids, total carbohydrates and total soluble protein). Total carbohydrate content was higher in wild plant leaves (15 mg/g) as compared to in vitro plant leaves (11.7 mg/g). Chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll and carotenoid content was found to be 0.15, 0.05, 0.24, 0.10 mg/g respectively in wild grown leaves and 0.11, 0.05, 0.15 and 0.06 mg/g respectively in leaves of in vitro raised plants. Carotenoid content, however, was observed significantly (P < 0.005) higher (0.22 mg/g) in callus. Soluble protein content was found to be 142.5 mg/g fresh weight in wild plant leaves but it was 157.5 mg/g fresh weight in in vitro plant leaves. In current study, reproducible in vitro regeneration protocol was developed. It was also observed that in vitro culture had significant influence on expression of primary metabolites vis a vis plant growth.