The whole plant regeneration on MS salts for development shows high salt requirement of Gymnema sylvestre seeds. For micropropagation, various combinations of auxins and cytokinins are used. These are like Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), 6-Benzylaminopurine (BA), Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and kinetin. About 78% seed germination was achieved on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium within 12 days with a good length of shoot and a number of roots. MS medium containing 0.5 mg L^_1 Kinetin +0.5 mg L^_1 IAA is best for shoot and root induction. After successful and sufficient growth of plantlets, these were transferred to pots having sterile soil + sand (3:1) in the laboratory, and were kept under observation for one month and finally transplanted for hardening in the garden. All transplanted seedlings showed satisfactory growth and all survived.

Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.) R. Br. Ex. Schult. (Asclepiadaceae) is a perennial woody climber of tropical and subtropical regions of India (Anonymous, 1997). The leaves are used in herbal medicine preparations. In Hindi, the word gurmar is used to refer to Gymnema. Gurmar means `sugar killer'. When leaves of Gymnema are chewed, it tastes sweet. Hence, it has long been used in diabetes. G. sylvestre leaves mainly contain gymnemic acids. Gurmar can interact with receptors on the tongue to decrease the sensation of sweetness. It is also useful in the treatment of asthma, eye complaints, and also in family planning and snake bite (Bishayee and Chatterjee, 1994). Overexploitation of G. sylvestre caused its depletion. However, the seed viability period is also poor and less in nature, limiting its natural propagation (Reddy et al., 1998). Therefore, in vitro seed micropropagation is another method used for plantlet development of G. sylvestre. The present paper attempts this method of propagation for seed germination.

Biotechnology Journal, Gymnema sylvestre seeds, Indole-3 acetic acid, IAA, 6-Benzylaminopurine, BA, Indole-3 butyric acid, IBA, Murashige and Skoog medium, MS, Kinetin-furfurylamine, gymnemic acids, Indole Butryic Acid.