High Frequency Induction of Multiple Shoots from Nodal Explants of Vitex negundo L. Using Sodium Sulphate

The effect of sodium sulphate on shoot induction and multiple shoot formation from nodal explants of Vitex negundo L. was tested on Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium fortified with different auxins, cytokinins and sucrose. Highest percentage $(97.78\%)$ of explants for shoot induction and multiple shoot (20.68/explant) production were observed in the combination treatment of $N^6-Benzyl$ adenine (BA) $(17.80\;{\mu}M/L)$, ${\alpha}-Naphthalene$ acetic acid (NAA) $(2.15\;{\mu}M/L)$ and $5\%$ sucrose supplemented with 100 mg/L sodium sulphate. In vitro raised shoots were rooted on the half-strength MS medium fortified with different concentrations of NAA, Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) alone and in combinations. Among the treatments, $4.90\;{\mu}M/L$ of IBA was found most effective $(95.56\%)$ in inducing roots. The rooted plantlets were shifted to glasshouse for acclimatization and later transferred to the field with cent percent survival. Furthermore, in vitro flowering was observed in the shoots cultured on MS medium supplemented with BA $(8.90\;{mu}M/L)$ and NAA $(1.61\;{\mu}M/L)$.