Efficient shoot regeneration using leaf explant and simulated microgravity effect on shoot development in Solanum nigrum L.

Solanum nigrum L. is an important medicinal plant of India and in the present study, leaves were used as an explant to establish shoot cultures. Murashige and Skoog’s18 (MS) medium supplemented with 20 μM kinetin (Kn) regenerated optimum 93.80 ± 0.89 shoots (100% response) within eight weeks through indirect organogenesis. Further, leaves were placed under simulated microgravity conditions and shoot regeneration was achieved within 16th days in both horizontal and vertical conditions. But horizontal position was better as compared to vertical position and it formed 11.60 ± 0.46 shoots. The in vitro shoots were successfully rooted in ½MS static medium fortified with sucrose (1%) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA, 2 μM) which induced 39.40 ± 1.08 roots (100% response) within four weeks. This study can be used for mass-propagation of the species, extraction of valuable metabolites and to observe the effect of microgravity on plants.