An efficient high-frequency direct organogenesis protocol of Mimosa pudica, suitable for mass multiplication and transformation experiments

Mimosa pudica is a creeping perennial, flowering medicinal plant belonging to the family Mimosaceae. The plants have been well documented for their various valuable properties such as antiseptic, antimicrobial, antiviral, antimalarial, hyperglycemic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antihepatotoxic, anticancer and immune boosters. Due to the occurrence of various phytochemicals, the plant has been extensively used in AYUSH for the treatment of various ailments. Due to the immense medicinal properties of the plant and high exploitation, it may lead to a high risk of drastic decreases in its population from natural habitats. Hence conservation of the plant is the utmost requirement by using plant tissue cultures protocols. In this investigation, we have developed a direct organogenesis protocol for the plant using apical meristem as the source of explant. From the tested 12 hormonal combinations; MPO4 (Kn 2.0 + BAP 1.0 + 2,4-D 0.2 mg/lit) was able to generate a significantly higher number of multiple shoots (44.33/explant) and the lowest multiple shooting (0.67/explant) was noticed in MPO12 media. Out of 15 media combinations, the MPR10 (NAA 1.0 mg/lit) combination was the best for in vitro rooting and was able to induce a significantly higher percentage (72.67% explants show rooting induction) of adventitious rootings, followed by MPR3 (IBA 1.5 mg/lit) media (62.67% explants shows rooting). In this investigation, the rooted plants were successfully hardened to the field. The developed direct organogenesis protocol using apical meristem as an explant is the first time report for the mentioned plant and may be used for mass multiplication as well as plantlet production after genetic transformations.

Automated summary

Mimosa pudica is a medicinal plant known for its various valuable properties. To protect and mass propagate the plant, researchers have developed a direct organogenesis protocol using apical meristem as the source of explant.