INDUCTION OF SOMATIC EMBRYOS FROM Ruta graveolens. L: AN IMPORTANT MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANT

Somatic embryogenesis is process by which plant vegetative cell undergoes restructuring to generate embryogenetic cells.These embryogenic potential cells then go through a series of morphological and biochemical changes that result in the formation of somatic or non-zygotic embryo capable of regenerating plants.Somatic embryogenesis provides a valuable tool in genetic improvement of commercial crop species.The present study was undertaken to induce somatic embryos from Ruta graveolens by using plant growth regulators(PGR).In the present investigation evaluation of the most suitable concentration of plant growth regulators for induction in Ruta graveolens is made. Callus was initiated from inter nodal portion of stem,on Murashige-Skoog’s (MS) basal media supplemented with various combinations of auxins and cytokinines.The callus obtained from intermodal segment explants was cultured on MS medium supplemented with various combinations of PGR’s.

Studies were also carried out to evaluate the induction of somatic embryo regeneration capacity of callus using plant growth regulators on growth of Ruta graveolens L.Among the different concentration of plant growth regulators used in the study;it was found that MS fortified with 4.44 µM BAP+2.69µM NAA found suitable for induction of somatic embryo.This study would help for large-scale production of R. graveolens.