Callus mediated organogenesis in Lilium polyphyllum D. Don: A critically endangered Astavarga plant from North Western Indian Himalaya Kundra Rosy1, Samant Sher Singh2,*, Kumar Vijay1, Pande Veena3 1G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Himachal Regional Centre, Mohal-Kullu-175126, Himachal Pradesh, India 2Director, Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Conifer Campus, Panthaghati, Shimla-171013, Himachal Pradesh, India 3Department of Biotechnology, Kumaun University, Nainital, Bhimtal Campus, Bhimtal-263136, Uttarakhand, India *Corresponding author e-mail: samantss2@rediffmail.com, sssamant@icfre.org, dir_hfri@icfre.org
Online published on 15 October, 2020. Abstract Lilium polyphyllum D. Don (Liliaceae) is a critically endangered herbaceous perennial, commonly known as snow lily or Ksheerkakoli. Bulbs of the plant are of immense medicinal use and have astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. Over exploitation of the species from wild and degradation of habitats are posing threats to its existence. Therefore, an attempt has been made to develop a propagation protocol and promote mass multiplication from bulb scales of L. polyphyllum. Maximum callus was induced from the bulb scales in basal MS medium containing 2,4-D (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 3 mg/l), BAP (0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 mg/l) and NAA + BAP (0.5+2 mg/l). Maximum shooting (98.75%) was achieved in the callus when shifted to MS medium supplemented with BAP (1 and 2 mg/l) and NAA (0.5 mg/l), with an average of 1-2 cm shoot length per culture. The well developed in vitro regenerated shoots were transferred to the rooting medium and 100% rooting was achieved in half-strength MS basal medium supplemented with IBA and IAA (1 and 2 mg/l). The in vitro regenerated plantlets were shifted to a glasshouse in the sterilized soil and vermiculite mixture for acclimatization. After survival, plantlets were finally transferred to the open environment with 90% survival success. Top Keywords Callus, Kakoli, Ksheerkakoli, Propagation, In vitro organogensis, Critically endangered, North Western Indian Himalaya. Top |