In vitro propagation of Rudraksha (Elaeocarpus sphaericus (Gaertn.) K. Schum): a biotechnological approach for conservation.

The species Elaeocarpus sphaericus (Rudraksha) is a religious, medicinally important threatened tree of India. An efficient micropropagation protocol has been developed from nodal explants of this plant species collected from north-east India for large scale production of planting material at favourable sites within the country. Best shoot initiation occurred in MS medium supplemented with 2.2μM BA+2.2μM Kn in combination. Addition of Casein Hydrolysate (CH) (100mg/L) increased the shoot number. Microshoots excised and subcultured in 2.0μM BA further enhanced growth and multiplication. The shoot cultures were maintained in this concentration for 2years with subculturing at 6weeks interval. MS medium containing 5.0μM NAA was most effective for rooting. Successfully acclimatized plants (80%) showed normal growth under suitable habitat conditions.