Abstract
Merremia quinquefolia, is an important medicinal plant of the family Convolvulaceae known for its vasoconstrictor, uterotonic, neurohormonic, sympathicolytic and sedative effects. In the present investigation effect of cytokinins 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), kinetin (Kn) and thidiazuron (TDZ), at concentrations 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 mg·dm−3 on in vitro shoot multiplication from nodal explants of M. quinquefolia was evaluated. Bud breaking and emergence of shoots started within 10-15 days of inoculation in all media containing cytokinin. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 4.0 mg·dm−3 BAP resulted in maximum number of shoots from single node within 45 days. In vitro raised shoots were successfully rooted on ½ mineral salts of MS medium with 3% sucrose supplemented with 2.0 mg·dm−3 indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). This is the first report on in vitro propagation of Merremia quinquefolia. This study can be useful for development of micropropagation protocols for related taxa.