Somatic embryogenesis of medicinal plant of purple cone flower (Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench)

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench) is a plant species of high medical value. Somatic embryogenesis is considered to be the most efficient micropropagation technique. Considering the importance of this plant, the current study has been performed with the aim of optimizing somatic embryogenic of that. Embryogenic callus induction and embryogenesis were investigated using different concentrations of plant growth regulations including Benzyl adenine (BA) in three levels (3, 4 and 5 mg/l), Naphtalene Acetic Acid (NAA) at three levels (0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 mg/l) with or without 1 g/l active charchoal, 50 ml/l coconut milkand 50 mg/l casein hydrolysate in leaf explants in MS culture medium in a completely randomized design with three replications. Induction of embryogenesis occurred indirectly with callus formation. Embryogenic calli were dark green, coherent with faster growth. The highest percentage of embryogenic callus (100 %) and also regeneration of callus (plantlents) were obtained in combination of BA and NAA with active charcoal, coconut milk and casein hydrolysate treatmens. Whereas the combination treatments of plant growth regulators without coconut milk and casein hydrolysate failed to produce somatic embryos. The maximum number of shoots (43.3 shoots) was observed in 3 mg/l BA + 0.1 mg/l NAA + 1 mg/l activate charcoal + 50 ml/l coconut milk + 50 mg/l casein hydrolysate treatment.