XVI International Botanical Congess

A protocol for rapid clonal propagation through in vitro culture of a medicinally important plant species Wattakaka volubilis (L.f.) Stapf. (Asclepiadaceae), used in snakebites, is described . High frequency of multiple shoot formation was induced from nodal segments cultured on MS medium supplemented with 1mg/1 of BAP. The percentage of shoot multiplication as well as the number of shoots per node attained the highest scores during the first four culture passages. Beyond this there was a gradual decline in shoot proliferation. Rooting of the excised shoots from the secondary cultures was best-induced on quarter strength of MS medium containing 0.75mg/1 IBA. Vermiculite and Soil (1:1 was the most suitable plant substrate for hardening.