Callus Induction and Organogenesis from Pueraria tuberosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) DC

Pueraria tuberosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) DC. is a perennial woody climber, commonly known as Indian Kudzu in English, Vidarikand in Hindi and Vidari in Sanskrit. The tubers are used in different systems of medicine viz. Ayurveda, Folk, Homoeopathy, Siddha, Tibetan and Unani. The present study aims to develop an effective protocol for optimum callus induction and organogenesis in Pueraria tuberosa. Callus cultures were first established by inoculating tender leaf explants in Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations of 6-Benzylaminopurine (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 mg.L-1) with 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (0.5 mg.L-1). Maximum callus induction and shoot organogenesis was observed in MS medium containing 1.5 mg.L-1 BAP with NAA 0.5mg.L-1. Fresh weight of the organogenic greenish granular hard callus was 4.70±0.10 gm. Shoot organogenesis was observed after 65 days of culture. Maximum shoot buds developed from callus on MS media augmented with 1.5 mg.L-1 BAP with 0.5 mg.L-1 NAA.