A simple micropropagation method from nodal and shoot tip explants is reported here for Mentha viridis, an economically important medicinal plant. High frequency of microshoots was obtained from these two explants on MS supplemented with various concentrations of BAP (1.0 -4.0 mg/l) and Kn (1.0 -4.0 mg/l). Maximum number of shoots was obtained from nodal explants in the medium containing 3.0 mg/l BAP. The root induction was carried out by using IBA and IAA (0.5 -2.0 mg/l). Among these, high frequency of root proliferation was achieved in the medium containing 1.5 mg/l of IBA. The rooted plantlets were hardened and transferred to the field. The survival rate was 90 -95% after 25 days.

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Ranunculus wallichianus is a medicinally important plant and an endemic species to Western Ghats of South India. An e cient and reliable indirect regeneration protocol system for R. wallichianus was developed from leaf explants in the present investigation. Leaf explants were cultured on both fullstrength and half-strength MS (Murashige & Skoog) medium supplemented with different concentrations (1.0 mg L − 1 to 3.0 mg L − 1 ) of 2,4-D and NAA. Among the different concentrations tested, the highest percentage of yellowish green compact nodular callus formation was observed on half-strength MS medium with 2.0 mg L − 1 of 2, 4-D. Then, the in vitro raised organogenic callus was cultured on half strength MS medium containing various concentrations (1.0 mg L − 1 to 3.0 mg L − 1 ) of BA, KIN and TDZ with 0.5 mg L − 1 NAA and 10% CW for in vitro shoot regeneration. The highest percentage of regeneration response (97%) and maximum number of shoots formation (11.1 ± 0.13 shoots/culture with 9.2 ± 0.35 cm mean shoot length) were obtained from MS medium containing 2.5 mg L − 1 BA with 0.5 mg L − 1 NAA and 10% CW. The well elongated in vitro raised shoots were rooted in half strength MS medium with 2.5 mg L − 1 IBA + 250 mg L − 1 activated charcoal shows high frequency of root formation. The well rooted plantlets were successfully hardened and acclimatized with the survival rate of 94%. Clonal delity of in vitro raised plantlets was assessed by using DNA based RAPD and ISSR molecular markers. The total of 56 and 47 monomorphic bands were obtained from RAPD and ISSR markers respectively. This present in vitro propagation protocol system could be an effective for the conservation of R. wallichianus with their genetic purity and its further investigations.

The present research work mainly deals with the current status and distribution range of Anoectochilus elatus Lindl and Dendrobium aquem Lindl in the selected places of Kolli Hills of Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu. Anoectochilus elatus and Dendrobium aquem are under severe pressure of their survival due to various kinds of anthropogenic activities. Both orchid populations were drastically reduced in Kolli Hills. Based on the earlier literature reports four places were selected for survey study. During the survey study, the phenology of both orchids also were observed in various sites. Among the four selected places, Kulivalavu and Sholakadu regions having high range of plant distribution, but still these sites are under huge pressure due to continuous man made activities and habitat fragmentations. This study would be very useful to formulate the conservation strategies to protect the threatened condition of orchids of Kolli Hills.

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