For hardening, plants with newly formed roots were taken out from the culture bottles with utmost care to prevent any damage to the roots. The plants were then dipped in warm water to remove any traces of agar following which the plants were dipped in 1% (w/v) solution of Bavistin to prevent any fungal infection in the newly developed plants. The plantlets were then planted in plastic pots containing 1:1 mixture of soil and manure.