Regeneration and characterization of Swertia chirata Buch.-Ham. ex Wall. plants from immature seed cultures

First generation immature seeds (R1) were collected from a field transferred micropropagated plant and seeds were induced to develop organogenic calli in Swertia chirata, a traditional revenue earning medicinal plant. Half strength MS medium with different growth regulators namely, BA, Kn (2.22–4.44 μM), NAA (2.69–5.37 μM), and 2.26 μM 2,4-D were used to induce callus and organogenesis. Isolated shoots produced roots either in the same medium or in presence of NAA (2.69–10.74 μM) or IBA (2.46–9.8 μM). Fully developed plantlets were successfully transplanted to soil and the fertile seed bearing plants developed. Occasionally plants derived from more than 56 weeks old calli showed some morphological variations. Such variations in regenerated plants is not reflected in their chromosomal constitution, with normal 2n = 26 chromosomes. Likewise, no variation was observed in DNA fingerprinting patterns among the short-term raised culture regenerants, which were morphologically similar to that of the donor plant illustrating their genetical uniformity and clonal fidelity. On the contrary, variation in DNA fingerprinting patterns was observed in long-term culture raised plants.