Protocol for rapid in vitro propagation of Ceropegia candelabrum L. (Asclepiadaceae) through axillary bud
6 multiplication was established. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 8.87 mM N -benzyladenine (BA) and
2.46 mM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) was best suited for axillary bud proliferation inducing a mean of eight
shoots / node. Excision and culture of the nodal segments from the in vitro shoots on fresh medium with same
concentrations of BA and IBA facilitated development of more than 10 shoots / node. Subsequent cultures
enhanced the rate of shoot proliferation. Shoots developed were rooted best on half strength MS with 0.49 mM IBA. Starting from a single node explant, 250 rooted shoots were obtained within 120 days. Plantlets established in pots exhibited 90% survival. Plantlets successfully established in field exhibited morphological characters
identical to mother plants. through micropropagation were hardened with the survival success of 56%. The efficient plantlet regeneration protocol developed would aid ex situ conservation of this vulnerable species.