European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

EFFECT OF NACL STRESS ON CALLUS INDUCTION IN CENTELLA ASIATICA (L.) URBAN

K. Rishla, A. Sithara and P. Deepa*

ABSTRACT

Callus induction under salt stress was studied in Centella asiatica (L.) Urban. Tender leaves were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D1mg/l+KIN0.5mg/l+TRY4mg/l for callus proliferation. The induced callus was sub-cultured on MS+2,4-D1mg/l+KIN0.5mg/l+TRY4mg/l with different concentrations of NaCl (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mM). Different concentrations of NaCl were induced a significant difference in callus proliferation. The callus grown on medium supplemented with 40 mM NaCl showed highest fresh weight (FW) and dry weight (DW) with lowest FW/DW and relative water content. Callus was friable and white-cream in colour. By increasing the NaCl concentration from 40 mM, the callus weight and proliferation were gradually decreased. Callus on MS medium with 100 mM NaCl exhibited lowest FW and DW while FW/DW and relative water content were highest. Salt tolerant callus grown on MS+KIN0.5mg/l+ BAP0.3mg/l+40 mM NaCl showed moderate shoot multiplication responses compared to untreated callus on the MS+KIN0.5mg/l+BAP0.3mg/l. Present in vitro study revealed that NaCl at a concentration of 40 mM is more effective for salt tolerant callus proliferation in C. asiatica.

Keywords: C. asiatica (L.) Urban, callus proliferation, salt stress, tryptophan, 2,4-D.