OBJECTIVETo establish a protocol of rapid clonal propagation of Saussurea involucrate by using embryo as explants.

METHODMS medium was used as basal medium and BA and NAA were supplemented to find out the optimal hormone combinations for adventitious buds initiation, adventitious bud multiplication and rooting.

RESULTAll embryo explants started to grow adventitious buds within 45 days when they were cultured on the media supplemented with 0.02-0.1 mg x L(-1) NAA and 2 mg x L(-1) BA; The adventitious buds multiplicated within 30 days when they were transferred to the media containing 0.1-0.2 mg x L(-1) NAA and 2-3 mg x L(-1) BA; 92% of the adventitious buds rooted well after they were planted on the MS medium containing macroelements at half strength and 0.4 mg x L(-1) NAA for 25 days. The regenerated plantlets grew well after they were transplanted and the survival rate was up to 70%.

CONCLUSIONPlantlets of S. invducrate regenerated high frequence through adventitious bud.