Nodal explant with axillary buds showed an efficient shoot multiplication frequency in Rauvolfia serpentina. Proliferation from the axillary bud on the Murashige and Skoog medium, supplemented with BAP + NAA as well as BAP + AdS + IBA induced new shoots within 20 to 25 days of inoculation. The maximum shoot multiplication frequency, 70.67% observed in combination of BAP + NAA while it was upto 90% in combination of BAP + AdS + IBA. At concentration of BAP (2.0mg/l) + NAA (0.5mg/l) shoot multiplication per explants was found to be superior. Shoot length and shoot quality observed was much better at all concentrations of AdS treatment. Lower concentrations of AdS showed much promotive response for shoot multiplication with respect to higher concentrations. In vitro multiplicated micro shoots rooted in MS half strength media supplemented with IBA, NAA and IBA + NAA. The multiplicated plantlets with well developed roots were successfully established for acclimatization and subsequently shifted to the field. 

Key Words: Adenine sulphate (AdS), Nodal explants, Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), Rauvolfia serpentina, Shoot multiplication