The Stimulatory Effects of the Antimicrobial Agents Bavistin, Cefotaxime and Kanamycin on <i>In Vitro</i> Plant Regeneration of <i>Centella asiatica</i> (L.)—An Important Antijaundice Medicinal Plant

Abstract

Antimicrobial agents such as bavistin, cefotaxime and kanamycin were evaluated for their effects on the rapid shoot regeneration from nodal explants of Centella asiatica (L.). Filter sterilized bavistin (250 mg/L) was aug mented alone and in combination with cytokinins such as BAP and TDZ into the media to trace the effect on re generation. On this basis , the potential use of bavistin (150 mg/L) along with BAP (2.0 mg/L) was evaluated which showed the maximum shoot number (6.6) and shoot length (4.4 cm) respectively. Cefotaxime at the con centration of 100 μM/L was found to be effective to obtain the maximum shoot number formation (5.8) with the regeneration frequency (90%). Kanamycin at the concentration of 80 μ M/L induced maximum shoot regenera tion (5.12). Kanamycin at 100 μM/L or at higher concentrations reduced the shoot regeneration. The best rooting response was noticed when in vitro regenerated microshoots were transferred to the rooting medim which was supplemented with IBA (2.0 mg/L) . This combination generates 90% of regeneration frequency and maximum number of roots per shoot (14.2) and high root length (4.2 cm). The rooted plants were acclimatized and trans ferred to field for survivalance. The addition of antibiotics was found to be more effective and safe r for using since their effects on regeneration were found to be negligible.