EN
Effect of nitrogen and carbon sources on multiple shoot regeneration and withanolides contents of Withania somnifera were evaluated. Inclusion of L-glutamine (20 mg/l) in medium fortified with the optimal levels of 1.5 mg/l 6-benzyladenine (BA) and 0.3 mg/l indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) resulted in the production of 58 shoots/explant. Sucrose at 4 % and 20 mg/l L-glutamine with ide ´al concentrations of BA and IAA improved shoot multiplication (62 shoots/explant) while 6 % sucrose enhanced withanolides contents in regenerated multiple shoots. All the shoots were rooted (26 roots/shoot) when cultured in MS medium amended with 15 mg/l ammonium nitrate, 2 mg/l IBA, and 2 % sucrose. The present study resulted in the production of 4.42-fold higher multiple shoots and 2.6- fold higher roots as well as enhancing the contents of all major withanolides (withaferin A, withanone, withanolide A and B) in regenerated plants when compared to previous reports on W. somnifera regeneration.