Abstract:Suitable medium for callus growth and gentiopicroside formation of Gentiana manshurica Kitag. was studied employing orthogonal design and monofactorial experiment. The results showed that combination of NAA 1 mg/L +KT 0.5 mg/L was best for callus growth, while NAA lmg/L, is the suitable phytohormone for gentiopicroside formation. B5 medium was suitable for callus growth while MS medium was suitable for gentiopicroside formation. The experiment of orthogonal design indicates that NH4+/NO3-, K+, Ca2+ and sucrose were the factors significantly affecting fresh weight, dry weight and gentiopicroside content of callus. However, the level of some factors for callus growth was different from that for gentiopicroside formation. In 18 different media, No. 7 was best for callus growth and No.10 medium was best for gentiopicroside formation.