RESUMEN
A protocol has been devised for enhanced in vitro regeneration of critically endangered Mantisia spathulata Schult. and Mantisia wengeri Fischer. Highest Bud Forming Capacity (BFC) of 6.10 +/- 0.55 with an average of 19.93 +/- 3.19 roots was obtained for M. spathulata within 5-6 weeks in Murashige and Skoogs (MS) medium supplemented with a combination of 10.0 microM of N6-benzyladenine (BA) and 2.5 microM of alpha-naphtalene acetic acid (NAA). For M. wengeri, BFC of 7.82 +/- 0.73 and 20.86 +/- 1.65 roots was achieved in MS media supplemented with a combination of 5.0 microM BA and 2.5 microM of NAA RAPD markers were used to evaluate the genetic stability of in vitro raised hardened plantlets. Similarity coefficient among the regenerated plants ranged between 0.85-0.98 for M. spathulata and 0.83-0.98 for M. wengeri. Maximum of 88 and 90% genetic similarity were obtained between in vitro raised hardened plantlets and mother stock of M. spathulata and M. wengeri, respectively through RAPD analysis. The hardened plantlets after RAPD analysis on being transferred to soil of experimental garden showed no marked phenotypic variations in vegetative or floral characteristics.