Accumulation Of Indigo In Tissue Cultures Of Strobilanthes Cusia (Nees) Kuntze

The present study reports for the first time the assessment of indigo content of in vitro regenerated plantlets and callus tissues of Strobilanthes cusia (Nees) Kuntze. Maximum shoot multiplication from shoot- tip explants was observed from explants cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1mg/L naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) in combination with 1mg/L kinetin (Kin) followed by MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L NAA alone and the shoot buds also showed rooting in these media. Rooted plantlets were successfully established in the soil. Callus was initiated from leaf explants of in vitro regenerated plantlets on medium supplemented with 3mg/L NAA, 0.2mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), 0.2mg/L Kin and 0.2mg/L 2, 4- dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Leaves of in vitro regenerated plantlets and callus tissues showed the accumulation of indigo dye although the amount was lesser compared to leaves of field-grown plants.