Methods and compositions for rapid in vitro propagation of Swertia chirata

A method for cultivating Swertia in vitro comprising:

• contacting a Swertia chirata shoot apex or axillary bud explant with a first medium comprising MS basal culture medium I, from about 0.5 mg/L to about 1.0 mg/L benzyladenine, from about 0.5 mg/L to about 1.0 mg/L indole acetic acid, from about 0.5 mg/L to about 1.0 mg/L indole butyric acid, about 0.5 mg/L naphthalene acetic acid, and from about 1% to about 3% sucrose to produce a primary explant;
• contacting this primary explant with a second medium comprising MS basal culture medium I, from about 0.5 mg/L to about 1.0 mg/L benzyladenine, about 1.0 mg/L indole acetic acid, about 1.0 mg/L gibberellic acid, and from about 1% to about 3% sucrose to produce a secondary explant;
• and
• contacting this secondary explant with a third medium comprising MS basal culture medium I, about 1.0 mg/L indole acetic acid, about 1.0 mg/L indole butyric acid, about 1.0 mg/L naphthalene acetic acid, and from about 1% to about 3% sucrose to produce a tertiary explant;
• wherein contacting the primary explant with the second medium occurs at about 20° C. and under at least one cycle of about 8 hr light/about 12 hr dark.

A method of producing a Swertia chirata plant with a shoot length of from about 1 cm to 5 cm in vitro from shoot apex or axillary bud explants in about 18 weeks or less comprising:

• contacting a Swertia chirata shoot apex or axillary bud explant with a first medium comprising MS basal culture medium I, from about 0.5 mg/L to about 1.0 mg/L benzyladenine, from about 0.5 mg/L to about 1.0 mg/L indole acetic acid, from about 0.5 mg/L to about 1.0 mg/L indole butyric acid, about 0.5 mg/L naphthalene acetic acid, and from about 1% to about 3% sucrose to produce a primary explant;
• contacting this primary explant with a second medium comprising MS basal culture medium I, from about 0.5 mg/L to about 1.0 mg/L benzyladenine, about 1.0 mg/L indole acetic acid, about 1.0 mg/L gibberellic acid, and from about 1% to about 3% sucrose to produce a secondary explant;
• and
• contacting this secondary explant with a third medium comprising MS basal culture medium I, about 1.0 mg/L indole acetic acid, about 1.0 mg/L indole butyric acid, about 1.0 mg/L naphthalene acetic acid, and from about 1% to about 3% sucrose to produce a tertiary explant;
• wherein contacting the primary explant with the second medium occurs at about 20° C. and under at least one cycle of about 8 hr light/about 12 hr dark.