Conservation of Ceropegia oculata Hook. (Asclepiadaceae) by Micropropagation using Nodal Explants

An efficient in vitro shoot propagation method for starchy edible tuber producing asclepiad Ceropegia oculata Hook., categorized as an endangered and threatened in the Red Data Book of India and IUCN, was developed in this study. The cultures were established on MS medium fortified with 5�M BA by using nodal explants of naturally grown plant. The best shoot proliferation (8.4�0.4 shoots per explant) was obtained on MS medium incorporated with 7.5 �M BA from nodal segments of in vitro raised shoots. Similar multiplication rate was maintained in nodal segments of 4 weeks old in vitro raised shoots on parent media over a period of 2 years. Shoots were rooted in vitro on MS medium containing 2.5 �M IAA together with 5% sucrose. The seasons influenced the growth and survival of the plantlets. In the rainy season, plantlets transferred directly to natural conditions grew well and morphologically identical to the mother plant. But the plantlets transferred to natural conditions in winter and summer season showed stunted growth.