Micropropagation of<i>Leptadenia pyrotechnica</i>(Forsk.) Decne: A Multipurpose Plant of an Arid Environment

Abstract

Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forsk.) Decne belongs to the family Asclepiadaceae. It is commonly known as Kheemp in India. L. pyrotechnica is an important component of an arid ecosystem and source of fiber, forage, and medicines. We report here in vitro propagation protocol of L. pyrotechnica. Cotyledonary nodes of in vitro raised seedlings were used as an explant for multiplication of shoots. Shoots were multiplied on Modified Murashige and Skoog's (MMS) medium containing 1.33 μM BAP and additives (50 mg L−1 ascorbic acid and 25 mg L−1 each of citric acid, arginine, and adenine). Cultures were maintained at 30 ± 2°C temperature, 50–60 μmol m−2 s−1 SFP, 12 hr day−1 photoperiod, and 60% relative humidity (RH). In vitro multiplied shoots were rooted in vitro on half-strength MS medium containing 2.46 μM IBA and 100 mg L−1 activated charcoal. Shoots were rooted ex vitro using 2460 μM IBA pretreatment for 15 min. Plantlets were hardened in a greenhouse, and survived on a mixture of sand, garden soil, and organic manure in 3:1:1 ratio in polybags in natural habitats.