In vitro studies of Bacopa monnieri--an important medicinal plant with reference to its biochemical variations.

Micropropagation of Bacopa monnieri was achieved on MS and B5 medium supplemented with BAP and NAA using leaf explants and nodal segments. Best results were found on MS medium in both the explants with BAP (2.0 mg/l) showing higher percentage of regeneration. Besides that the biochemical parameters, like chlorophyll, carbohydrate, protein, of leaves both in vivo and in vitro have also been carried out in order to establish the sustainability of plants.

Direct shoot regeneration from foliar explants of an epiphytic orchid,Acampe praemorsa (Roxb.) Blatter and McCann.

An efficient and reproducible procedure is described for the large-scale propagation of an epiphytic orchid,Acampe praemorsa (Roxb.) B latter and McCann using foliar explants. Shoot buds were induced in basal parts of foliar explants on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with N6-benzyladenine (BA), kinetin (Kn) or thidiazuron (TDZ), the latter being most effective at 1.0 mg/1. Shoots formed to a TDZ-containing medium elongated following transfer to a substrate supplemented with 2.0 mg/l 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 0.5 mg/1 BA. NAA at lower concentrations had no beneficial effects on shoot regeneration, whether added to the medium along with BA, Kn or TDZ. However, it promoted shoot elongation and leaf expansion. Higher concentrations of NAA suppressed shoot regeneration. The frequency of shoot regeneration was greatly influenced by the developmental stage and orientation of the leaf. Shoots regenerated from the foliar explants were rooted successfully on MS medium containing 1.0 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid. The plantlets were acclimated and eventually transferred to a garden.