IN VITRO RESPONSE OF CONVOLVULUS SCINDICUS TO DIFFERENT GROWTH HORMONES - AN ATTEMPT TO CONSERVE AN ENDANGERED SPECIES

Convolvulus scindicus Stocks is an endangered taxon in the southern region of Pakistan. It is exposed to hostile environmental conditions and subjected to various threats including habitat loss, grazing activities and soil erosion. There is a need to take steps for its protection to avoid its extirpation. In this connection an in vitro propagation and conservation protocol was established to study its response to different growth hormones. Fresh seeds were collected from the wild, germinated in vitro and then seedlings were grown aseptically to obtain explant. The cultures maintained on MS medium containing various growth hormones for 6-7 months. 2.5 mg/l BAP along with 0.5 mg/l Kin and 0.5 mg/l NAA induced maximum number of 8.20 shoots per explant with 56% shoot regeneration frequency. Well developed shoots were rooted on MS medium containing 2 mg/l IAA with maximum number of roots (1.50) per explant and maximum rooting frequency of 67%.