PLANT CELL BIOTECHNOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Pyrethrum, Tanacetum cinerariaefolium (Trevir.) Schultz-Bip, Asteraceae is a source of the natural, non-persistant, an ecofriendly insecticide pyrethrine. As their overexploitation in phytopharmaceutical industry is increasing, there is a need for development of in vitro system of propagation. Shoot tips of 0.5 cm long were cultured on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of BAP (0.5-3.0 mg/l) alone and in combination with 2,4-D (0.5 mg/l). Shoot tips cultured on media containing BAP and 2,4-D showed better response when compared to media containing BAP alone. The highest shoot bud induction (98.0%) and maximum multiple shoot induction (8.2) were noticed on MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l BAP in combination with 0.5 mg/l 2,4-D. Isolated shoots from the in vitro proliferated shoot clumps were cultured on MS medium containing different concentrations of NAA (0.5-2.5 mg/l) for rooting. NAA at 1.5 mg/l was found to be the best concentration for maximum percent of root initiation. The rooted plantlets were successfully transferred into paper cups containing sand and soil in the ratio of 1:2 and subsequently established in the field with 95 % survival. The protocol developed for plant regeneration from shoot tip explants of Tanacetum cinerariaefolium may be suitable for large scale in vitro multiplication of this overexploited medicinal plant.