Induction of In Vitro Roots from Leaf Callus of Ocimum basilicum L. and O. tenuiflorum L.

In vitro roots developed from leaf callus of Ocimum basilicum L. and Ocimum tenuiflorum L. is described in this study. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations (0.25-2.5 mg/l) of 2,4-D alone and in combination with NAA were tested for their efficiency to develop callus. Maximum callus proliferation was acquired at 1.0 mg/l 2,4-D in Ocimum basilicum and 1.5 mg/l 2,4-D in Ocimum basilicum. 1.0 mg/l 2,4-D + 1.0 mg/l NAA is more suitable for greenish white friable callus in Ocimum basilicum whereas in Ocimum tenuiflorum it was obtained at 1.5 mg/l 2,4-D in combination with 1.5 mg/l NAA. Then the callus was transmitted to MS medium with different concentrations of IAA (0.5-2.5 mg/l). The roots induced from leaf callus were cultured on MS liquid medium with different concentrations of IAA (0.5-2.5 mg/l). A large number of roots were obtained at 1.0 mg/l IAA in both species. Comparatively, Ocimum basilicum (152 roots) developed more number of roots than Ocimum tenuiflorum (97 roots).