In Vitro Seed Germination and Callus Induction of Aconitum spicatum (Bruhl) Stapf

Abstract

Aconitum spicatum (Bruhl) Stapf commonly known as ‘Bikh’ is an herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the family Ranunculaceae. It is one of the highly poisonous plants but characterized by significant and valuable medicinal uses. Low seed germination in nature and uncontrolled harvesting practices, as well as a lack of concerned conservation efforts, lead to the rapid declination of this vital plant species; however, no comprehensive and reliable protocol has been developed till date to produce plant materials for conservation as well as for pharmaceutical purposes. Therefore, this study was designed to develop an efficient, simple, and reproducible in vitro seed germination, direct shoot-roots organogenesis as well callus induction protocol using seed as an explant. The highest seed germination percentage was recorded on Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) basal medium, with a germination rate of 77.78% in a mean germination time of 14 days. Among the various plant growth regulators examined, 1.5 mgL-1 BAP proved to be effective for maximum shoots and root induction after 42 days, The maximum callus was induced in MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mgL-1 NAA within 49-60 days. To our knowledge, this is the first study on in vitro seed germination and callus induction of this plant. This study could provide a basis for germplasm conservation and sustainable utilization, with implications for the isolation of unique and pharmacologically active compounds from callus or regenerated plantlets.