Rapid in vitro propagation of Clematis heynei M. A. Rau: An important medicinal plant

The propagation of Clematis species has been studied for last 2-3 decades, but problems related to rooting have limited the conventional methods to fulfil commercial needs. The present investigation describes an efficient micropropagation protocol for Clematis heynei, an important medicinal plant. Multiple shoot production was successfully achieved from axillary buds using nodes as explants. The highest organogenic response was obtained from the nodal segments cultured on MS medium enriched with Kinetin (3 mgL^-1) and indole-3-acetic acid (0.4 mgL^-1). Microshoots were transferred for rooting in variety of auxins and its concentrations; in which maximum root induction was occurred in Indole-3-acetic acid (1 mgL^-1). Through sequential hardening process, well-rooted plantlets were established in the field conditions and exhibited 88 % survival with normal morphology and growth characteristics. This protocol is a successful and efficient biotechnological approach to the micropropagation of C. heynei.