Abstract

Green callus clusters inducted from in vitro Catharanthus roseus leaf explant have been cultured in a modified Murashige and Skoog (MS) liquid induction medium supplemented with different plant growth regulators containing auxin and cytokinine. The indution medium with 1 mgloc-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 0.5 mgl' kinetin (Kin) gave the greatest biomass and total alkaloid, meanwhile in the same medium containing 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) instead of NAA reduced biomass and total alkaloid production. The optimum saccharose concentration for alkaloid and biomass was 60 gl. A combination between optimum plant growth and saccharose concentration in C. roseus suspension culture gave more vincristine alkaloid than natural C. roseus leaf.