Micropropagation and genetic fidelity analysis using SCoT and ISSR markers in Muehlenbeckia platyclada (F.Muell.) meisn

The study focuses on Muehlenbeckia platyclada, a pharmaceutically valuable plant from the Polygonaceae family, which is scarce in India and primarily found in the southern region. Due to its pharmacological significance and limited availability, the study aims to establish a quick and reliable micropropagation protocol for its propagation and conservation by using nodal explants and also confirms the genetic identity of regenerants by using SCoT, ISSR markers for the first time. To establish the micropropagation in M. platyclada, different concentrations (0.50–4.00 mg/L) and types of PGRs like BAP, Kin, IAA, IBA, and NAA were supplemented in Murashige and Skoog (MS) media. The best shoot induction response (100%) with 6.74 ± 0.14 mean number of shoots were observed on BAP 1.50 mg/L alone. The highest mean number of multiple shoots, i.e. 16.72 ± 0.14 with 10.51 ± 0.2 cm of mean shoot length were obtained on 1.00 mg/L of BAP and 0.50 mg/L of IAA. The regenerants rooted in vitro on IBA 2.00 mg/L augmented in MS ½ strength media, which resulted in an average of 5.87 ± 0.06 mean number of roots per explant. Crucially, the regenerated plantlets showed no genetic changes when evaluated by using SCoT and ISSR markers. The biotechnological methods used in this study were able to create a micropropagation system that allows M. platyclada plants to reproduce in a way that is genetically stable.