Germplasm conservation of Clitoria ternatea L. through storage of encapsulated shoot tips and maintaining nodal segments under slow growth conditions

The presence of 3% sodium alginate + 100 mu M calcium chloride was found most suitable for Clitoria ternatea synthetic seed production and subsequent conversion of encapsulated shoot tips into plantlet. MS medium used for encapsulation of shoot tips showed highest conversion frequency (90 +/- 7.0%) on MS medium supplemented with 1.0mg/l BAP. Encapsulated shoot tips stored for 75 days at 4 degrees C showed maximum conversion frequency (52 +/- 3.2%) on MS + 1.0mg/l BAP + 0.1mg/l IBA. Nodal segmented stored on 1/2 MS medium supplemented with 4% sorbitol for 12 months showed highest conversion frequency (65%) and maximum number of shoots per explants on MS medium containing 0.5mg/l BAP. Elongated shoots showed best rooting on MS + 0.2 mg/l IBA. Plants derived from short term stored synthetic seeds and nodal segment showed normal flowering and growth.