Successful Indirect Regeneration of Arnebia pulchra (Roemer and Schultes) as Medicinal Plant

Abstract

<em>Arnebia pulchra </em>(Willd. ex Roem. & Schult.) Edm. is an endangered, perennial member of Boraginaceae family. Spectrophotometric and LC-Mass analysis confirmed the existence of shikalkin derivatives in its root skin and polyphenolic compounds in the inner part of its root. Studies on the regeneration of <em>A. pulchra</em> from its callus resulted in successful callus induction in the root explants excised from the young plantlets on MS medium amended with 2,4-D (1 mg.l^-1) and kinetin (0.5 mg.l^-1) at 25°C in darkness. The highest frequency of shooting (15 shoots per callus) was achieved for the calli sub-cultured on MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D (0.1 mg.l^-1) and kinetin (2 mg.l^-1) in 2 weeks. The concentration and type of auxin were found critical for successful rooting. The best rooting conditions with a frequency rate of 80% were obtained for the regenerates which were sub-cultured on half-strength MS medium supplemented with IBA (1 mg.l^-1), NAA (1 mg.l^-1) and kinetin (0.2 mg.l^-1). The regeneration method developed in this work provides a basis for germplasm conservation of <em>A. pulchra</em>.