Rapid in vitro propagation of medicinally important Ceropegia candelabrum

Protocol for rapid in vitro propagation of Ceropegia candelabrum L. (Asclepiadaceae) through axillary bud multiplication was established. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 8.87 muM N-6-benzyladenine (BA) and 2.46 muM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) was best suited for axillary bud proliferation inducing a mean of eight shoots/node. Excision and culture of the nodal segments from the in vitro shoots on fresh medium with same concentrations of BA and IBA facilitated development of more than 10 shoots/node. Subsequent cultures enhanced the rate of shoot proliferation. Shoots developed were rooted best on half strength MS with 0.49 muM IBA. Starting from a single node explant, 250 rooted shoots were obtained within 120 days. Plantlets established in pots exhibited 90% survival. Plantlets successfully established in field exhibited morphological characters identical to mother plants.