Plant regeneration through Somatic embryogenesis has several advantages over other routes to in vitro plant production and appears that most promising area of research for large scale production and rapid plant propagation. Sapindus emarginatus vahl commonly known as soap nut tree wherein the nut shell contains saponin, which acts like soap when comes in contact with water. It has very high economic and medicinal values in saponin industry and is also being used for important medicinal properties. The present study is aimed on somatic embryogenesis from leaf explants of Sapindus emarginatus Vahl employing auxin such as 2, 4-D along with cytokinin BAP/Kn. The present protocol is the first ever reported of its kind and is unique in itself as the latex poses a threat for tissue culture.

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Arthraxon santapaui Bor (Poaceae, Andropogoneae, Arthraxoninae) is reported here as an addition to the grass flora of Telangana state. A detailed description and note with photographs are provided to facilitate easy identification.

Multiple shoot induction in S. emarginatus has been achieved by two methods: (1) Direct germination of S. emarginatus in vitro cotyledon explants in BAP/Kn/TDZ (1.0-3.0 mg/L) supplemented MS medium and (2) in plant treatment with BAP/Kn/TDZ (3.0 mg/ L) in combination of 1AA (0.5 mg/L) of the cotyledon explants of plants and maintained under sterile conditions. While the former method resulted in as many as (7.5±8.6 shoot buds) from the cotyledonary explants within four weeks, the latter yielded on average approximately 8 shoot buds from each treated node in eight weeks. The cytokinin treatment in plant consisted of placing sterile filter paper moistened with sterile distilled water over the node and adding different concentrations of 6benzylaminopurine. The best results for shoot bud regeneration were obtained with cotyledons, when cultured in the presence of (0.5 mg/L) IAA in combination with (3.0 mg/L). The shoots elongated and rooted directly in vermiculite after a pulse treatment with IBA (2.5 mg/L) for 15 min.

Eriochloa barbatus (Trin.) S. Yadav and M. R. Almeida (Poaceae: Paniceae), a species indigenous to Africa, Madagascar and Arabian Peninsula is reported here as an addition to the grass flora of Southern India from Telanganastate. Detailed description and photographs of the species are provided here for its easy identification.