Micropropagation of Mentha viridis L.: An aromatic medicinal plant

Abstract

An efficient in vitro propagation technique was developed for Mentha viridis L. a commercially important medicinal herb, using nodal segments as explants. Explants were cultured on MS medium enriched with various combinations and concentrations of PGRs (BAP, NAA and IAA). The highest average number (5.70±0.36) and length (4.90±0.34) of microshoot was achieved on MS medium with 2.0 mg/l BAP and 0.5 mg/l IAA. The rooting experiments were carried out on ½MS using different concentrations of IBA, IAA and NAA (0.5 – 1.5 mg/l). The maximum root formation (5.0±0.60) with highest elongation of roots (5.39±0.23) was achieved in the medium containing 1.5 mg/l IAA. The rooted plantlets were hardened and transferred to the pots. The survival rate was 90%.