In Vitro Adventitious Rooting of Basilicum polystachyon Microshoots

This study was conducted with an aim to increase the rooting efficiency of in vitro regenerated microshoots of Basilicum polystachyon (L) Moench, an important traditional medicinal plant for successful transfer to field conditions. Microshoots regenerated from in vitro cultures were treated with various concentrations of auxins including 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Effect of the antiauxin 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA) on rooting efficiency and shoot length was also studied. Maximum number of root meristems were induced on 10-6 M NAA supplemented medium. However, root and shoot length was significantly decreased on auxin treatments and complete inhibition was noticed at 10-5 M concentration of both NAA and IBA. TIBA did not significantly reduce the number of roots at 10-7 M and 10-6 M concentration. Root and shoot length was significantly reduced at and above 10-6 M TIBA, but it was higher than the auxin treatment at similar concentrations. Half strength MS medium with 3% sucrose had the best and most consistent rooting efficiency and rooted plantlets could be transferred to the experimental field with 94.44% survivability rate.