• P. Shanthi*
• T. Mayba Gnana Suky
• R. Gnana Deepa Ruby,
• Sr. Anne Xavier
• P. Amudha

Elephantopus scaber L. is an important herbaceous medicinal plant. It is used for analgesic, inflammation, pains and piles. The decoction of the roots and leaves is treated for diarrhea. The flowers are aphrodisiacs, tonic, and expectorant that help to cure biliousness, liver troubles and syphilis. In order to meet the increased demand, an efficient in vitro propagation of E. scaber was established. Shoot tip explants were cultured on MS basal medium fortified with different concentrations of BAP (1.0 – 5.0 mg/l) individually for multiple shoot bud regeneration. The highest frequency (93%) of multiple shoot regeneration with maximum number of shoots (95 shoots/ shoot tip) was noticed on MS medium supplemented with 3.0 mg/l BAP in second subculture. About 145 shoots/shoot tip were obtained after three subcultures on the same media composition. In the second experiment, leaf explants of E. scaber were inoculated into the MS medium supplemented with the combination of NAA (1.0 – 4.0 mg/l) and BAP (0.5 mg/l) for indirect organogenesis. The maximum percentage (89%) of callusing was observed at 0.5mg/l BAP and 2.0 mg/l NAA combination. The well developed leaf calli were transferred to regeneration medium containing different concentrations of BAP (1.0 – 5.0 mg/l) for shoot proliferation. A maximum of 89% of regeneration was obtained at 3.0 mg/l BAP in which 185 shoots were obtained after three subcultures. The regenerated shoots from both multiple shooting and indirect organogenesis were transferred to MS medium containing 3.0 mg/l of BAP and 1.0 mg/l GA3 for shoot elongation. Elongated shoots (>2 cm) dissected out from the in vitro proliferated shoot clumps were cultured on half and full strength MS medium containing different concentrations of IAA (0.5 – 3.0 mg/l) for root induction. Highest frequency of rooting (100%) was noticed on half-strength MS medium augmented with 3.0 mg/l IAA. The rooted plantlets were successfully transferred into plastic cups containing sand and soil in the ratio of 1:2 and subsequently established in the greenhouse.

Elephantopus Scaber L., medicinal plant, micropropagation, callus induction.

"Rapid and large-scale in vitro propagation of Elephantopus scaber L. - An important medicinal herb", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 2, page no.75-84, February-2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1902113.pdf

"Rapid and large-scale in vitro propagation of Elephantopus scaber L. - An important medicinal herb", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 2, page no. pp75-84, February-2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1902113.pdf