IN  VITRO  STUDIES IN THE WILD SPECIES OF CARTHAMUS –  C.  OXYCANTHA L.

 Megha Chaturvedi, Nidhi Srivastava, Tejovathi Gudipati, Rekha Bhadauria, Sharda Khandelwal and R.R.Das

Abstract 

   Cotyledonary leaves of 3, 4 and 5 day old seedlings of Carthamus oxycantha L. were   cultured on Gambourg’s  (B₅) modified medium with different levels of 6-benzyladenine (BA) and a- naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Multiple shoots were induced   on B₅   medium supplemented with 2.22 to 8.44  µM l^-1   6-benzyladenine (BA).  Rhizogenesis was achieved on B₅    with 0 – 2.15  µM l^-1 NAA supplemented medium.  The    regenerated plantlets were successfully matured by initially transferring on to filter paper bridges, then on to vermiculite. Finally, plants were transferred to pots for maturation. Presently plants are at flowering stage. Cultures on low levels of cytokinin - auxin supplemented media resulted in capitula formation in in vitro cultures.

Key words: In Vitro technology, genetic upgrading