In Vitro Embryo Culture and Ex Situ Regeneration Studies in Ancistrocladus heyneanus Wall. Ex Grah

Ancistrocladus heyneanus Wall. Ex Grah. (Ancistrocladaceae), an endemic Indian liana producing napthylisoquinoline alkaloids, was successfully multiplied in vitro through embryo culture. Attempt was also made to study habit, habitat, regeneration and phenology. Micropropagation in Ancistrocladus has been limited due to the leaching of phenolics, which restricts its application in tissue culture. The plant is a source of novel isoquinoline alkaloids which make its curative appearance in medical research with anti HIV, anti malarial like properties. Specificity in habitat, slow growth makes its distribution narrow and restricted. Immature embryos cultured on MS basal supplemented with BAP 13.31 �M and TDZ (6.81 �M) showed highest recovery of plants (80%). Lowering the TDZ concentration (2.27 �M) exhibited elongated root and shoots, however the percent response was found to be low (30%). This is the first report of in vitro regeneration of the plant via embryo culture.