In vitro propagation of Caralluma sarkariae Lavranos & Frandsen - an endemic and endangered medicinal plant.

An efficient protocol has been developed for in vitro propagation of Caralluma sarkariae Lavranos & Frandsen via mature internodal derived callus. Optimal callus was developed for regeneration from mature internodal explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with various concentrations of auxins. Maximum number of shoots were regenerated (65%) from the callus on MS medium supplemented with 6-benzyl aminopurine (BAP) 2.0 mg/L + kinetin (KN) 0.5 mg/L + naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) 0.5 mg/L. Individual elongated shoots were rooted on half strength MS medium containing NAA 0.1 mg/L. Regenerated plantlets with well developed shoots and roots were successfully transferred to soil.