Leaf explant based direct and indirect regeneration and SCoT marker assisted genetic fidelity analysis of endemic taxon Corynandra chelidonii var. pallae

Corynandra chelidonii var. pallae (Family: Cleomaceae) is an endemic and rare taxon with declining populations over the past few years. An attempt was made to develop a reliable protocol for its micropropagation through leaf explant-based direct and indirect organogenesis. The highest mean number of shoots (13.46 ± 0.29 per explant) and shoot length (1.06 ± 0.0213 cm) were achieved on Murashige and Skoog (MS, 1962) medium supplemented with 2 mg L −1 of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) during direct regeneration from the leaf segment explants. For indirect organogenesis, callus was induced first in a maximum amount on MS medium supplemented with 2 mg L −1 of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) from the leaf segments. Indirect regeneration with the highest mean number of shoots (6.08 ± 0.23) and shoot length (2.06 ± 0.007 cm) were obtained on MS medium with 2 mg L −1 BAP and 0.5 mg L −1 naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). The regenerated shoots were rooted successfully (100%) on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 1 mg L −1 of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). The regenerated plantlets were acclimatized in pots possessing cocopeat. The acclimatized plantlets showed a survival rate of 60% under field conditions. The genetic diversity of regenerated plantlets and the mother plant were evaluated using Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) markers. It is of much interest that the DNA bands were monomorphic across all samples.