Feasibility studies on in vitro mass-scale propagation of Indian Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) cultivars for commercial purpose

Abstract

The explants with higher regeneration potential raised through in vitro germination of seeds of two genotypes of Withania somnifera namely: WS-100 and WS-134 were cultured on MS basal media fortified with 0.6mg/ml BAP and 0.4 mg/ml IAA. Culture medium MS + 0.2 mg/l BAP + 30.0 gm/l sucrose + 7.5 gm/l agar, induced callus in higher frequencies in both the varieties. While in multiple shooting, maximum shoots were observed in WS 100 with MS+0.2 mg/lit BAP+0.2 mg/lit IAA and in WS 134 with MS+0.3mg/l BAP + 0.2 mg/l IAA. Higher in vitro rooting response was achieved on rooting medium MS + 5.0 mg/1 IBA + 25.0 gm/1 sucrose + 7.5 gm/1 agar in WS 100 and in WS 134 with MS +0.6 mg/l BAP+ 2.5 mg/1 IBA + 25.0 gm/1 sucrose + 7.5 gm/1 agar. In terms of in vitro genotypic response, genotype WS-100 was found significantly superior to WS-134 for the most of the attributes investigated. Regenerated plantlets were established successfully in the field after primary and secondary hardening. The present investigation brought out possibility of mass-scale in vitro (micropropagation) production of Indian Ashwagandha cultivars.