Dioscorea bulbifera L. containing the pharmaceutically important compound, diosgenin, was regenerated in vitro through nodal segments on supplemented Murashige and Skoog medium (MS). Diosgenin was at 12 mg g(-1) dry wt in 12-week-old plantlets raised on MS with various growth hormones. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis showed genetic fidelity of regenerants. Encapsulation of shoot tips in 3% (w/v) calcium alginate for storage and germplasm exchange was achieved.