High frequency induction and regeneration of multiple shoots from nodal explants of justicia wynaadensis (nees) t. Anders

Justica wynaadensis (Nees) T. Anders (Acanthaceae) is a small branched shrub and finds potential to be used for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis. Micropropagation was attempted with nodal explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with growth regulators. Maximum shoots were produced in vitro on MS medium supplemented with 3 mg/L BA, with an average of 24.92±0.30 shoots/explant. Rooting was induced in the shoot initiation media itself and did not require a separate rooting media. The rooted plantlets were transplanted to pots containing peat, vermiculite and soil mixture (1:1:1), and maintained in the shade house at a survival rate of 83%.