Shoot organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis from leaf explants of Valeriana jatamansi Jones

•Valeriana jatamansi Jones is a herb with important secondary metabolites.•Callus was induced from leaves on MS + 1.0-7.5 μM 2,4-D + 5.0 μM NAA.•Shoots and somatic embryos emerged spontaneously from this medium.•5.0 μM IBA, 5.0 μM NAA or 1.0-5.0 μM 2,4-D could induce adventitious roots.•Plantlets were acclimatized on humus:vermiculite:peat moss (1:1:1) after 30 days.

The in vitro leaves of Valeriana jatamansi Jones were used as explants to induce adventitious shoots and somatic embryos from embryogenic callus. Both morphogenic processes could be induced on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of plant growth regulators. Embryogenic callus, which was induced exclusively in the presence of auxins, namely 1.0-7.5 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 5.0 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), differentiated into adventitious shoots and somatic embryos, respectively when left on the same medium. Callus, when placed on MS medium containing 5.0 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), 5.0 μM NAA or 1.0-5.0 μM 2,4-D, induced adventitious roots. Cytokinins that were added singly to callus induction medium, including 6-benzyladenine, kinetin and thidiazuron, could not induce callus at 5.0 μM except when combined with 0.25-1.0 μM NAA.