Synergistic Effect of Plant Growth Regulators on Micropropagation of Eclipta Alba: A Plant With Diverse Medicinal Properties

The research examined the impact of plant growth regulators on the in vitro propagation of Eclipta alba, a medicinal plant. Using nodal segments, cultures were established on MS medium with 2.5 μM of 6-benzyle adenine (BA). Different concentrations of BA and Kinetin (KIN), alone or combined with α- naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and indole 3-acetic acid (IAA), effectively promoted shoot proliferation. BA was more effective than KIN in this regard. Adding 0.5μM NAA to the MS medium with 2.5 μM of BA increased shoot multiplication and elongation frequency from 58% and 17% to 65% and 21% respectively. The highest rooting frequency was seen on 1/2 strength MS medium with 5.0 μM of indole 3-butyric acid (IBA), a superior auxin for inducing roots compared to NAA and IAA. The in vitro raised plantlets were acclimatized first in a poly house and then under greenhouse conditions with a 75% survival rate. Molecular analysis confirmed the micropropagated plants were genetically identical to the mother plant. This micropropagation protocol for E. alba can be used for commercial mass multiplication of plants.