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Abstract
Calotropis gigantea is considered to be a very important species due to the presence of long chain hydrocarbons in its latex, which is chemically equivalent to crude oil, and its adaptability to cultivation in dry and semi- arid regions. It has clusters of waxy flowers that are either white or lavender in colour. A procedure is outlined for the in vitro propagation for shoot multiplication and subsequent plant regeneration of the latex-producing plant, Calotropis gigantea. Shoot multiplication was obtained by culturing inter nodal and axillary bud explants on Murashige and Skoog medium with different concentration of plant growth regulators (BAP 5 μM, Kin 10 μM, 5 μM, BAP + IAA : 5 μM + 2 μM, Kin + IBA :3 μM + 2 μM, IBA 1 μM, Vermiculite + IBA 1 μM). Large numbers of shoots were produced in different concentration on Kin, and BAP at Kin 10μm and BAP 5μm. BAP 5μm and Kin10 μM hormone concentration were found to be suitable for rapid shoot growth and multiplication. Healthy and sturdy shoots formed were transferred to MS basal, BAP 5 μm with IBA 2μm and Kin 5 μm with NAA 2 μm. The MS Basal, IBA 2μm and NAA 2μm initiated in number of roots. IBA hormone medium is suitable for root initiation in C. gigantea. Rhizogenesis- the formation of roots is a crucial step in micropropagation for the formation of complete plantlets. The highest rooting frequency (80%) was observed on MS medium supplemented with IBA (1.47 μM). Subsequently, the moisture was reduced by the removal of polythene bags to harden the plants and out of which about 56% survived.