Shoot organogenesis and mass propagation of Coleus forskohlii from leaf derived callus

Abstract

A high frequency shoot organogenesis and plant establishment protocol has been developed for Coleus forskohlii from leaf derived callus. Optimal callus was developed from mature leaves on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2.4 μ M kinetin alone. Shoots were regenerated from the callus on MS medium supplemented with 4.6 μM kinetin and 0.54 μM 1-naphthalene acetic acid. The highest rate of shoot multiplication was achieved at the sixth subculture and more than 150 shoots were produced per callus clump. Regenerated shootlets were rooted spontaneously on half-strength MS medium devoid of growth regulators. The in vitro raised plants were established successfully in soil. The amount of forskolin in in vitroraised plants and wild plants was estimated and found that they produce comparable quantity of forskolin. This in vitro propagation protocol should be useful for conservation as well as mass propagation of this plant.