Complete plantlets when planted in compost containing soil +
cow dung (2:1) showed highest survivability (82.85%) compared
to the other compost mixtures after 4 weeks of transfer. The
development of the plantlets was also better in this compost
than the other mixtures used (Table 2). In the compost
containing soil + charcoal pieces + brick pieces + decaying litter
+ cow dung (1:1:1:1:1) only 12.5% of the plantlets survived.
This could be due to the fast drainage of nutrients from this
compost as compared to the previous one without charcoal
pieces + brick pieces. Phippen and Simon (2000) reported that
within 20 days rooted plantlets with normal morphological
characteristics could be transferred and acclimatized under
greenhouse conditions. Begum et al. (2000) successfully
transferred O. sanctum to soil and the percentage of
survivability under ex vitro condition was 70%. Singh and
Sehgal (1999) reported 85% survivability of the plantlets when
established in soil.
Using the protocol developed for micropropagation of O.
tenuiflorum through this study not only plants can be
regenerated from callus taking axillary buds as explants but
also the mother plant can be conserved.