Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in Ferula jaeschkeana Vatke: a threatened medicinal herb

Abstract

An efficient in vitro propagation protocol for an important medicinal endangered herb Ferula jaeschkeana has been developed through somatic embryogenesis. 12 week old friable calli were derived from petiole explants on a medium supplemented with 2.0 mgl −1 2,4-D and 1.0 mgl −1 Kn and used as mother source for somatic embryogenesis. Different auxins (2,4-D, IBA, IAA and NAA) in different concentrations (0.2-4.0 mgl −1 ) was used to produce embryogenic callus. Eighty four percent calli produced globular embryos on a medium supplemented with 4.0 mgl −1 2,4-D. The globular embryo then mature on culture medium (Control) or supplemented with different addictives (auxin, proline and ABA), maturation was significantly affected by ABA, proline and number of subcultures with maximum number of mature embryo (32.1 ± 0.2) was formed on medium fortified with 2.0 mgl −1 proline. Mature embryos had two well-developed cotyledons and an elongated hypocotyl root axis. 78% of these embryos were transformed into plantlets when placed in culture medium fortified with 0.2 + 0.01 + 0.05 mgl −1 (BAP:IBA:GA 3 ) respectively. Regenerated plants were hardened in vermiculite with a 23% survival rate. The regenerated plants showed normal diploid chromosome number (2n = 22) and leaf morphology was comparable to in vivo plant.