In vitro propagation of Valeriana mooni using nodal and leaf explants

Abstract

Valeriana mooni (Family: Caprifoliaceae) (S:Lanka Thuwarala) is an endemic plant in Sri Lanka with economical and medicinal values. Previous studies revealed, that V.mooni shares pharmacogenetic properties with Nardostachys jatamansi (Family: Caprifoliaceae)which is extensively utilized in Ayurveda and traditional medicine in Sri Lanka. Since the exportation of N.jatamansi has been restricted in India, it is important to study an efficient propagation system for large- scale production of V. mooni. Therefore this study aimed to establish an efficient protocol for in vitro propagation of V.mooni. The best shoot induction (3.13±0.35) from nodal explants of V.mooni was observed after six week of incubation, in the presence of Indole-3- acetic acid (IAA)(1.0mg/L ) and Kinetin (Kn) (5.0mg/L) with the maximum mean length of the shoots (3.21±0.10cm). The highest shoot multiplication (5.17±0.30) with maximum mean length resulted in MS medium supplemented with IAA (1.0mg/L) and Kn( 5.0mg/L) during first and second sub culture level. Rooting in vitro shoots is successful in half-strength MS medium, supplemented with 1.0mg/L IAA, resulting in the highest mean roots per shoot(7.50±0.30). In the study of in vitro Callus induction using leaf explants. The best callus formation was achieved in MS media supplemented with 2,4- Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) (1,5mg/L) and Kn (1.0 mg/L). Despite no significance improvement was observed in callus induction from leaf explants, utilizing nodal or axillary buds as explants can be a more promising approach for in vitro propagation of V. mooni.