Abstract

Cardiospermum halicacabum, a medicinial plant rich in β-sitosterol, Dglucoside, saponin and quebrachitol. Direct regeneration was achieved only from the nodal explants which showed 100 per cent sprouting on MS medium supplemented with BAP (0.5 ppm) + NAA (1.0 ppm) in 12 days, while MS medium supplemented with BAP (0.5 ppm) + IBA (1, 2 or 3 ppm) showed early but decreased sprouting. The half strength MS basal medium without any growth regulator proved to be best medium for root induction for excised shoots. The in vitro raised plantlets were transplanted to mixture of sterile dune sand and FYM (3:1) with moderate (80 %) success.

Key words: Cardiospermum halicacabum, nodal explants, axillary buds, growth regulators.