Micropropagation and in vitro flowering in Basella alba.

Basella alba is a perennial vine of the Basellaceae family used as a leafy vegetable, whose phytonutrients are exploited in
the Indian medicinal system since antiquity for their antifungal, anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antiulcer,
and analgesic properties. Propagation of Basella through seeds has limitations for germination and flowering. In vitro
regeneration was studied on MS (Murashige & Skoog) media supplemented with various plant growth regulators, indole
acetic acid (IAA), Indole butyric acid (IBA), naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), N, 6-benzyl adenine (BA), kinetin (KIN),
zeatin (ZEA), gibberellic acid (GA3), and adenine sulphate (ADS), silver nitrate (AgNO3) as additives. Shoot bud initiation
was observed in all combinations studied, showing a good response for direct regeneration. Shoot response (84%) was
observed 12 days after inoculation in 1 mg l− 1 BA + 0.1 mg l− 1 NAA. A medium containing 0.1 mg l− 1 BA + 0.5 mg l− 1
KIN + 0.1 mg l− 1 IAA was preeminent for multiple shoots (22 ± 0.13) production with average shoot length (5.81 ± 0.19)
in 5 weeks (wk). Supplementation of 40 mg l− 1 AgNO3 and 40 mg l− 1 ADS to a medium containing 1 mg l− 1 BA + 0.1 mg
l− 1 NAA resulted in enhanced growth of shoots, that were 5.0 ± 0.53 cm long and with 12.0 ± 0.51 leaves. In vitro flowering
was observed on MS medium with 0.5 mg l− 1 BA and 0.5 mg l− 1 GA3. The survival rate of hardened plants was
90% after transferring to the soil. This protocol can be efficiently used for mass production for regeneration of genetically
transformed Basella spp. and in studying its metabolite profile specially betalains.