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Gujarat is one of India's top potato-producing regions, making it one of the world's top producers of potatoes. The demand for potatoes is driven by the food processing industry, domestic consumption, and export opportunities. While potato production in India has been growing, there are several issues that affect the industry. The availability of high-quality potato seeds, as well as post-harvest losses due to improper handling and storage, are major challenges. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of various culture systems and nutrient supplements to establish and optimize a suitable system for in vitro shoot growth, microtuberization, and storage conditions. In vitro cultures of six different locally adapted potato cultivars were created and the shoot multiplication protocol was standardized. The microtubers protocol was optimized using four-week-old shoots, and a mean of four microtubers per shoot was observed on the Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (0.88 µM) and sucrose (8%). Harvested microtubers were used to investigate storage conditions and shoot growth was evaluated from microtubers under in vitro as well as ex vitro conditions. All microtubers developed healthy shoots after 18 days of storage at 4 °C both in vitro and ex vitro, and the resulting plantlets showed >90% survival in the greenhouse. The distribution of high-quality potato seeds in Gujarat, which are in high demand, may benefit from the optimal microtubarization protocol. This study confirms the potential of long-term germplasm preservation and microtuber-based cultivation practices in the Gujarat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The family Zingiberaceae, commonly known as the ginger family, is economically sound due to their huge consumption as medicine, spices, dyes, perfumeries, etc. Gingers are widely distributed throughout the world, and India is one of the richest places with significant biodiversity of ginger plants. India is having 22 genera and about 176 species of gingers on which the maximum diversity of the ginger family is observed in Northeast India containing 19 genera and about 88 species. The wide occurrence of this family in the heterogeneous eco-geographical regions promotes natural genetic variations in intra- and interspecific level that constitutes the enormous genetic resources of gingers in India. The increasing demand for gingers leads to overexploitation and extensive cannibalism from natural habitats. Furthermore, habitat destruction and land crisis are also principal concerns imposing threats to the wild gingers. Some of the members in this family even became rare, endangered, and critically endangered according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Plant tissue culture is now indispensable for the large-scale production of genetically identical rare plant genotypes that have remarkable commercial applications. Different approaches to in vitro propagation are the best alternatives for the mass production and conservation of Indian gingers. The primary aim of the article focused mainly on different in vitro aspects including updated micropropagation status of medicinally important Indian gingers, a threatened status that ultimately helps in the conservation of indigenous germplasm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of decoctions prepared from stem bark to treat neurodegenerative problems is amongst the widespread applications of Ficus religiosa L., a tree of great ethno-medicinal importance in the Indian sub-continent. The stem bark of the tree has been reported to have significant acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity (AChEI). Latter is one of the most effective modalities used for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The development of any commercial treatment modality for AD from this tree faces serious challenges for sample consistency in terms of quality (being strongly influenced by environmental and developmental stages) and quantity. Hairy root (HR) cultures are an excellent choice for such studies. Since no study has been reported for HR culture systems for F. religiosa , the present study was targeted to develop one. Three different HR lines were induced and cultured on different media. Root extracts, obtained from HRs on different media, were subjected to an AChEI assay to select the best conditions where HRs exerted higher AChEI. The wild-type strain of A. rhizogenes was used to induce hairy roots in different explants. The method of genetic transformation was optimised by changing concentrations of bacterial suspension, acetosyringone and calcium chloride in the infection and co-cultivation medium. The assay for measuring AChEI activity was modified from the assays described by Ellman et al. (1961) and Ingkaninan et al. (2000). These methods recommend the use of IC 50 (half maximal inhibitory concentration) value for comparing AChEI activities in different samples. We developed a protocol for induction and long-term maintenance of HR cultures of F. religiosa L. In vitro conditions were optimized where hairy root extracts exerted higher AChEI activity (IC 50 value of 0.16 µg/ml) compared to that in the stem segments of the mother plants (IC 50 value of 0.49 µg/ml). The present work has been granted a patent by the Indian Patent Office, Government of India (Patent No360050, Date of grant 02/03/2021) (Siwach and Gill, 2021). The present study confirms the utility of F. religiosa in AD treatment and provides a standardized protocol for large-scale production of HR cultures (75ml medium in Erlenmeyer flask of 250 ml volume) that have higher AChEI activity; these cultures offer excellent platforms for future characterization and commercial preparation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large cardamom is one of the most important spices that can significantly contribute to the economical farming in the country of Nepal. It is grown in Nepal and north-eastern states of India which provide suitable agroclimatic growing conditions of high humidity, ambient temperature and high rainfall. Meeting the demand for high quality plants and yield of cardamom is challenging with traditional methods of propagation. The present study has used the plant tissue culture technique to produce high quality plants. In this regard, MS media with three different hormonal combinations were used for the development protocol for 8 weeks. Shoot length, root length, shoot number and root number were assessed at intervals. The best protocol for growth was MS media with 1 mg/L BAP + 0.5 mg/L IBA for the Ramsey variety, with no significant difference for Golsai, Dambarsai, or Sikkimae varieties. Similarly, the acclimatization and field transfer study was done. The use of any substrate composition in ratio of coco peat: soil 1:2; moss: coco peat 1:2 and sawdust: coco peat 1:2 enables transfer of healthy plants to the field. The results indicate that the varieties respond differently to the micropropagation process and to hormone concentrations indicated by differing root and shoot production. The protocol of 1mg/L BAP and 0.5mg/L IBA could be used for the Ramsai while optimal shoot production for Golsai and Sikkimae should be at 0.5mg/L and 5mg/L for shoot production. All varieties showed optimal root production at 0mg/L BAP and 0.5mg/L IBA. This study sheds light on the different responsiveness of varieties to tissue culture and hormone concentrations for both root and shoot development in micropropagation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A reliable protocol for in vitro propagation of Potentilla nepalensis was developed and the phytochemical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects of in vitro propagated and wild grown P. nepalensis plants were compared. Leaves of P. nepalensis used as explants were cultured on conventional Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of plant growth regulators. Optimum sterilization conditions were achieved by using 0.04% Bavistin for 10 min, 0.04% sodium hypochlorite for 1 min, and 0.04% mercuric chloride for 1 min and the optimum media composition for callus generation was MS minerals containing ammonium nitrate (165 mg L−1), calcium chloride (44 mg L−1), and growth regulators IBA (20 mg L−1), and BAP (4 mg L−1). The phenolic and flavonoid content were higher in wild grown plant (TPC-21.21 ± 0.54 mg g−1 GAE; TFC-4.24 ± 0.17 mg g−1RE) compared to in vitro propagated P. nepalensis (TPC-3.55889 ± 0.72 mg g−1 GAE; TFC-0.33 ± 0.07 mg g−1 RE). Although the antioxidant activity was high in wild grown plant (IC50-235 ± 92.120 µg mL−1) than in vitro propagated (IC50-682.989 ± 57.118 µg mL−1), the antimicrobial properties for bacterial and fungal pathogens were similar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phlomis cashmeriana (Lamiaceae) is an ornamental cum medicinal perennial herb endemic to Kashmir Himalaya. Two arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal inocula on post-transplanting performance of 'in vitro'-raised P. cashmeriana plantlets were tested. The two AM fungal inocula consisted of two mono-specific cultures of Funneliformis geosporus and Acaulospora mellea applied in combination and one crude consortium of AM fungal spores isolated from rhizosphere soil of P. cashmeriana growing in natural habitat. Complete plantlets of P. cashmeriana were raised by direct and indirect organogenesis from leaf and node explants on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with various cytokinins and auxins. In vitro-raised plantlets responded to both the mycorrhizal treatments in a significantly different way. The inoculated plantlets fared significantly better than the un-inoculated ones in terms of the plant height, number of shoots etc. Among the two inocula tested, plantlets inoculated with the mixed consortium of AM fungi consistently performed better in terms of survival rate of plantlets (100%) and other parameters viz., plant height, number of shoots and roots per plant, number of leaves per plant, leaf area and biomass production. The study suggests the use of mixed consortium of AM fungi over mono-specific cultures for the sustainable cultivation and conservation of in vitro-raised P. cashmeriana – a medicinally important endemic plant species of Kashmir Himalaya. Therefore, this is easy to use AMF and also the present research can be extended to other such medicinally important plant species which require conservation and sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cymbidium whiteae King & Pantl is an endemic and endangered orchid species found in Sikkim, India. We evaluated the current population distribution and conservation needs of this species during 2017–2019 in North Sikkim, Sikkim, India. The distribution of the species ranged from 1020 to 1479 m a.s.l. but was confined to a small restricted area of the lower Dzongu region of North Sikkim district. The numbers of clumps at survey sites varied from 2 to 5 with a total population of 43 clumps at 17 sites. The flower number and capsules per clump varied from 4 to 12 and 3 to 12, respectively. Some flowering‐sized individuals neither flowered nor set any seed pods. Preliminary studies on asymbiotic seed germination indicated that seeds germinate on MS media supplemented with 0.2 mg BAP and develop into plantlets on the same media. We analysed the distribution pattern, prepared a distribution map, assessed the conservation status based on the IUCN criteria, and suggest suitable in situ and ex situ conservation measures and sustainable utilization. Based on the IUCN criteria, Cymbidium whiteae was assessed as critically endangered (CR). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ranunculus wallichianus is a rare medicinal plant endemic to Western Ghats, India. Nodal explants were inoculated on MS medium with 1.0 to 5.0 mg L−1 of 6-benzyladenine (BA), kinetin (KIN), or thidiazuron (TDZ) resulting in a low percentage of shoot regeneration. Coconut water (CW) was added to MS medium containing the above mentioned cytokinins to promote in vitro plantlet growth. Multiple shoots were regenerated on half-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 1.0 to 5.0 mg L−1 BA, KIN, or TDZ in combination with 5%, 10%, and 20% CW. The highest percentage of shoot multiplication was observed from cultures incubated on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 3.0 mg L−1 TDZ in combination with 10% CW. The cut ends of well-elongated shoots were transferred to medium containing 0.5 to 3.0 mg L−1 indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) or indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) to induce in vitro root induction. Half-strength MS medium with 2.5 mg L−1 IBA and 250 mg L−1 activated charcoal shows high frequency of root formation. The well-rooted plantlets were transferred to pots for hardening with survival rate of 93% after 30 d. The present work indicates the addition of CW with the cytokinins in half-strength MS medium is suitable for rapid micropropagation of R. wallichianus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Curcuma caesia Roxb. (Zingiberaceae) is a rare, critically endangered medicinal plant of Northeast India. The rhizome of the plant is famous for its significant medicinal properties. Methods: Various concentrations of plant growth regulators in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium were tried in the study using rhizome bud as explant for development of an efficient cost effective protocol for in vitro mass multiplication and microrhizome induction of Curcuma caesia. Result: Shoot multiplication and plant generation was achieved from freshly sprouted shoots of Curcuma caesia on Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with different phytohormones. The best response for shoot multiplication (23.80±0.51shoots/explant) was obtained within 8 weeks in MS medium supplemented with BAP (1.0 mgl -1) and 2,4-D (0.25 mgl -1). Microrhizomes were induced at the base of the in vitro derived shoots upon transferred to medium containing various combinations and concentrations of sucrose and BAP and grown under varying photoperiod. Half strength of MS basal medium containing BAP (1.0 mg/l) and 9% sucrose was found to be optimum for induction of large sized microrhizome within 45 days of incubation under 16 hrs of photoperiod. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climbers are plants with weak stems that require support to grow upright. This group of plants develops various climbing mechanisms, classified as tendrillar, twiners, scramblers, clinging, adhesive and woody climbers (lianas). Although climbers are predominantly angiosperms, some are ferns, and one gymnosperm member Gnetum is included in this category. The angiosperm families mainly composed of climbers include Cucurbitaceae, Convolvulaceae and Dioscoreaceae. India's biodiversity includes two regions, the Western Ghats and the Eastern Himalayas. According to the Botanical Survey of India, of approximately 18,000 species of angiosperms in India, 8000 of them are medicinal plants and several of them are climbers. Many climbers are medicinally important and used as herbal remedies in traditional systems of Indian medicine, including Ayurveda, Sidha and Unani. Several active phytochemicals from different parts of these plants are isolated and used as medicine either alone or in combination with other compounds. Unfortunately, many of these plants are under the threat of extinction due to habitat depletion and overexploitation and conservation efforts are required to ensure their long-term stability. In this review, we discuss in vitro propagation and conservation strategies for Indian medicinal climbers from diverse families including Fabaceae, Aristolochiaceae, Asparagaceae, Caesalpiniaceae, Sapindaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Vitaceae, Ranunculaceae, Menispermaceae, Colchicaceae, Apocynaceae, Rubiaceae, Passifloraceae, Stemonaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Cucurbitaceae due to their high medicinal value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhododendron wattii Cowan is a rare and endangered plant found in northeast India. In an effort to boost specimen numbers, experiments of in vitro seed germination, shoot induction on different media supplemented with the cytokinin isopentenyladenine (2iP), and root induction with auxins α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in woody plant medium (WPM) were carried out. A maximum mean shoot number of 7.72 per explant were obtained from nodal explants cultured on WPM and 39.36 μM 2iP with a maximum mean shoot length of 2.30 cm per explant. Among the auxins investigated for root induction, IBA at 2.45 μM was found to produce the most and the longest roots, when compared to other treatments. However, WPM supplemented with 0.2% (w/v) activated charcoal also showed 100% root formation with shoots having broader leaves compared to auxin treatments. About 60% of in vitro rooted plantlets transferred from lab to greenhouse conditions survived. Sixty acclimatized plants were reintroduced in the vicinity of their natural habitat at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, Nagaland, in May 2016 for ex situ conservation. Survival of the reintroduced plants was confirmed during the field visit conducted in November 2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indian basil i.e. Ocimum basilicum L., an important essential oil yielding plant, is used in high-grade perfumes, flavoring, dental and oral products. A methyl chavicol-rich, high essential oil yielding variety of Indian basil CIM-Saumya, released by the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, India, has immense industrial potential due to the occurrence of two important aromatic components, i.e. methyl chavicol (62.5–77.6%) and linalool (14.4–34.1%). The Ocimum being highly cross-pollinated and seed propagated, produce heterogeneous progeny thereby restricting its commercial application. In the present investigation, an attempt has been made to produce a large number of genetically and chemically uniform plants of this improved variety CIM-Saumya for the first time using nodal explants. Multiple shoot cultures developed on Murashige and Skoog's medium (MS) supplemented with BA ( N 6 -benzyladenine, 2.67 μM) and these shoots were further transferred to half strength MS medium supplemented with NAA (α-naphthalene acetic acid, 0.27 μM) for rhizogenesis. These plantlets were maintained under in vitro conditions for more than three years. The established plantlets were successfully shifted in a glasshouse and finally in the field. Flow cytometry, inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, were employed to evaluate genetic similarity amongst micro-clones and the mother plant. In all, 28 primers (18 RAPD and 10 ISSR) generated 178 distinct, monomorphic and reproducible bands. Head space gas chromatography showed the similarity in the qualitative profile of 11 major volatile constituents. These results clearly demonstrated that the developed protocol can be efficiently utilized to generate genetically and chemically uniform population of an industrially important variety CIM-Saumya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses an in vitro regeneration approach to propagate and conserve the endangered woody tree Nyctanthes arbor-tristis. Findings showed that nodal segments cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 3.0 mg./liter benzylaminopurine regenerated more shoots from each explant compared to other medium groups. The trials also showed plantlets that hardened in the greenhouse had 89 percent survival rate.

The essential oil from leaves and rhizomes of micropropagated and conventionally grown Hedychium coronarium Koen. of family Zingiberaceae, was extracted through hydro-distillation process and its chemical composition was analyzed by GC-MS. A total of 30 (95.23%) and 7 (98.12%) compounds were identified from the leaf and rhizome of conventionally grown plants where as 16 (95.96%) and 3 (99.65%) compounds were identified from leaf and rhizome samples of micropropagated plants. The major compound identified in leaf oil of micropropagated and conventional plants was β-pinene (26.87% and 15.02%) and in rhizome oil was eucalyptol 47.97% and 33.71% respectively. As compared to the conventionally propagated plants the micropropagated plants were more uniform hence could be used for commercial purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Excoecaria agallocha L. is a critically endangered mangrove tree from the Pichavaram mangrove reserve forest, the Tamil Nadu Coastal area. It is distributed on the seashore and the edge-mangrove. In order to reduce the decrease in number of these Mediterranean mixed stand, unsupervised forest management practices have drastically been reduced. In addition, the deforestation of the mangrove area, along with a low seed germination rate further endanger this species. In this study we developed a protocol for the micropropagation of adult Excoecaria agallocha. Microcuttings were obtained from lateral and apical twigs of mature plants and used as explants. Microcuttings with axillary buds were grown on different media, plant growth regulators and phenolic exudation substances. The axillary shoots produced on uncontaminated explants were excised, segmented and recultured in the same medium, to increase the stock of shoot cultures. The Modified Murashige and Skoog (MMS) medium, augmented with different concentrations of N6 - benzyl adenine (BAP) and Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), either alone, or in combinations, as a potential medium for shoot multiplication by nodal segments, was tested. In the following experiment, equal molar concentrations of four cytokonins [BAP, Kinetin and 2- isopenthenyladenine (2iP)] in combination with equal molar concentrations of three auxins [ NAA, Indole acetic acid (IAA) and indole-3- butyric ]were used to test the rate of axillary shoot proliferation, induced on MMS agar medium supplemented with 3.9 μM BAP and 1.34 μM NAA after 6 weeks in culture. Different auxins (NAA, IBA and IAA) were to determine the optimum conditions for in vitro rooting of microshoots. The best results were accomplished with NAA 5.41 μM (89% rooting) and with IBA at 2.85 or 5.71μM (86% and 86.5%) rooting, respectively). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change, alien species, and use of land for intensive farming and development are causing severe threat to the plant genetic diversity worldwide. Hence, conservation of biodiversity is considered fundamental and also provides the livelihoods to millions of people worldwide. Medicinal plants play a key role in the treatment of a number of diseases, and they are only the source of medicine for majority of people in the developing world. The tropical regions of the world supply the bulk of current global demand for 'natural medicine,' albeit with increasing threat to populations in the world and its genetic diversity. India is a major center of origin and diversity of crop and medicinal plants. India poses out 20,000 species of higher plants, one third of it being endemic and 500 species are categorized to have medicinal value. The Western Ghats is one of the major repositories of medicinal plants. It harbors around 4,000 species of higher plants of which 450 species are threatened. Currently, the number of species added to the red list category in this region is increasing, and the valuable genetic resources are being lost at a rapid rate. Demand for medicinal plants is increasing, and this leads to unscrupulous collection from the wild and adulteration of supplies. Providing high-quality planting material for sustainable use and thereby saving the genetic diversity of plants in the wild is important. During the last 25 years of intensive research, Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute has developed in vitro protocol for rapid regeneration and establishment of about 40 medicinally important rare and threatened plants of Western Ghats. In situ conservation alone would not be effective in safeguarding these important species. Thus, utilizing the biotechnoligical approach to complement ex situ conservation program is becoming vital. Propagating biotechnology tools in plant conservation program is a prerequisite to succeed in sustainable use and to complement the existing ex situ measures. In addition to propagation, storage of these valuable genetic resources is equally important. In vitro slow growth of 35 species and cryopreservation using embryo/meristem/seed in 20 different species of rare medicinal plants of this region is accomplished. Plants developed in vitro of ten medicinal plants, which have restricted distribution, were reintroduced in the natural habitat as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crataeva nurvala Buch. Ham. (Capparaceae) is a high-value medicinal tree that grows almost all over India, especially in the semiarid regions. Medicinal usage has been reported in traditional systems of medicine, such as Ayurveda and Unani, wherein the plant is frequently preferred in the treatment of urinary disorders that reoccur owing to development of antibiotic resistance by the infecting organism. C. nurvala has also been used in the treatment of prostate enlargement and bladder sensitivity. The plant is known to relieve, prevent, and promote the discharge of kidney stones. Lupeol, a pentacyclic triterpene isolated from the root bark, has been shown to significantly minimize the deposition of stone-forming constituents in kidneys. Investigations have also indicated the plant has anti-arthritic, hepatoprotective, and cardio-protective actions. These multiple uses of C. nurvala along with erratic seed germination, destructive harvesting, and habitat loss from deforestation have endangered survival of the plant. As a result of this endangerment, in India the plant has been categorized as rare or vulnerable in the natural environment, making conservation of this plant crucial. This review briefly examines the biological activities, pharmacological actions, clinical studies, and medicinal applications of C. nurvala to provide direction for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vitro clonal multiplication of Pterocarpus santalinus L. was achieved using mature nodal explants of a 10-year-old elite quality tree. Combinations of serial transfer technique and incorporation of antioxidants (250 mg/l L-ascorbic acid and 50 mg/l citric acid) into the culture medium helped to minimize medium browning and improve explant survival during shoot sprouting. About 70% of explants were sprouted on Murashige and Skoog (MS) liquid medium containing 4.4 µM 6-benzyladenine (BA). The explant harvest period also influenced the bud break and shoot sprouting in nodal explants. The combination of 4.4 µM BA and 2.2 µM thidiazuron (TDZ) was found to be the most suitable growth regulator for obtaining the highest percentage of nodal segment sprouting (74%–75%), the number of secondary shoots per primary shoot (two or three), the shoot length (5–6 cm), the number of new nodal segments generated per active explant (four or five), and the multiplication coefficient (3.5) within 6 weeks. Repeated subculturing of nodal explants obtained from shoot cultures enabled continuous production of healthy axillary shoots. At the end of the sixth passage, about 90% of nodal explants produced five or six healthy green shoots, each being about 6.6 cm long with six or seven nodes. Multiplication coefficient was also increased from the first subculture (5.4) to the sixth subculture (8.3). The best rooting response was achieved on solidified half-strength MS medium supplemented with 4.9 µM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). About 70% of the micropropagated plantlets were established successfully in 20-cm pots containing a mixture of soil and farmyard manure (4 : 1 ratio) and formed new leaflets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physalis minima L. is commonly known as wild Gooseberry. Traditionally this plant has been used in different ethnopharmacological and modern medicinal practices. No systematic evaluation is done from an underutilized alternative resource of withaferin A content from P. minima. Withaferin A is a steroidal lactone withanolide mainly found in the plant Withania somnifera and other few members of family Solanaceae. The present investigation evaluated withaferin A content from 30 chemotypes collected from different geographical regions in India. Among 30 different chemotypes, an elite clone (17.13 ± 0.31 mg/g dry weight (DW) withaferin A) was selected for in vitro shoot multiplication. Well-organized micropropagation has been studied using five different cytokinins in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. Among them, aromatic cytokinin "meta-Topolin" (m T) at 1.0 mg/l triggered the highest number (83.26 ± 1.02) of multiple shoots and shoot length (4.87 ± 0.69) after 28 days of explant implantation. Maximum root induction was showed in ½ MS medium with 0.5 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) to trigger 75.65 ± 1.03 roots and root length 4.56 ± 0.25 cm after 14 days of culture. In vitro well-rooted plantlets were excised for hardening and show; 99.02% survival rate. Genetic stability of micropropagated plants were performed with cytological and molecular marker-based selection. Simultaneously, phytochemical stability was performed with HPLC (High performance liquid chromatography) analysis. In our experiment no significant difference showed between the mother plant and micropropagated plants. Thus, our protocol can be used for large-scale commercial cultivation of elite chemotype of this medicinal plant. • Analysis of withaferin A content from different chemotypes of P. minima. • Selection of an elite clone for in vitro shoot multiplication. • Effect of different plant growth regulators on in vitro shoot multiplication. • Molecular and phytochemical stability were performed from micropropagated plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]