Effect of BAP & Kinetin on shoot initiation of Trichosanthes dioica Roxb. an important medicinal plant

Nodal and shoot tip explants were collected from field grown mature plants of pointed gourd (T. dioica) for initiation of shoot cultures. The sterilized explants were aseptically inoculated on MS medium supplemented with various concentrations of BAP and kinetin alone and in combinations. Observations were made on 15 explants showing shoot initiation, average length of shoot and number of days taken by nodal/shoot segments to initiate the shoots. Medium containing BAP (1mg/ml) proved better for establishment of nodal explants. Out of 15, 12 explants established successfully on this medium. The growth of shoots was also found better than on other media tried. It took minimum time (5-6 days) to initiate the culture and the length of the shoot was ∼ 1.5 cm with a survival of 80%. BAP at a concentration of 1mg/ml was found most suitable for shoot initiation from nodal explants of T. dioica in the present study.