ABSTRACT
A rapid in vitro propagation system has been established from mature shoot tip and nodal segments of a highly valuable medicinal plant Alternanthera sessilis [L.]. The explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog's medium augmented with different concentrations and combinations of plant growth regulators for shoot bud initiation and multiplications. For shoot tip, highest frequency of shoot proliferation [94.3 +/- 0.43] and maximum number per explants [23.4 +/- 0.38] was observed in Murashige and Skoog's medium augmented with 2.0 mg/l of 6-Benzyl Amino Purine. For nodal segments, highest frequency of shoot proliferation [90.4 +/- 0.82] and maximum number [15.2 +/- 0.63] per node was observed in Murashige and Skoog's medium augmented with 1.5 mg/l of 6-Benzyl Amino Purine. Maximum percentage of callus formation [Leaves-92.4 +/- 0.61; Inter-nodal -88.9 +/- 0.83] was obtained on Murashige and Skoog's basal medium supplemented with 3% and 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid 2.0 mg/l. Highest efficiency [97.4 +/- 1.36] of rooting and maximum number [6.3 +/- 0.42] of rootlet per shoot let was achieved on half strength Murashige and Skoog's medium fortified with 3 mg/l of Indole-3-Butyric acid. Regenerated plants were successfully transferred to field [78%]