In vitro regeneration of Moringa oleifera Lam.: A medicinal tree of family Moringaceae

Abstract

A protocol is developed for somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis from nodal segments and shoot-apices of Moringa oleifera Lam. Callusing and multiple shoots induction occurred in nodal segments (0.5-1.0 cm) after 2 weeks of culture on Woody Plant Medium, 1981 (WPM) containing N6-benzyladenine (BA), alone or in combinations with various concentrations of α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). The concentration of BA at 4.44 μM was found optimum for multiple shoots formation, resulting in 3.22 ± 0.17 shoots per explants. WPM was enriched by adding certain additives to minimize yellowing and shedding of leaves in proliferated shoots. Maximum roots induction (86.6%) was observed in enriched WPM containing 2.46 μM IBA. Somatic embryos were developed from the calli obtained from nodal segments on enriched WPM supplemented with IBA and BA. Histological studies were carried out for studying the pattern of somatic embryogenesis. Multiple shoots formed from shoot apices (1.0-1.5 cm) cultured on enriched WPM (with or without IBA) after 2 weeks of culture. Root induction occurred simultaneously. The regenerated plantlets were gradually transferred to half strength and later to quarter strength liquid WPM, for 10 days, before transferring to pots. Approximately, 70% survival rate was recorded from in vitro grown plantlets on transfer to pots. Somatic embryogenesis in M. oleifera from nodal explants is reported for the first time in this communication.