In vitro plantlet formation in Carrizo citrange: A promising citrus rootstock

The shoot tip and nodal segment explants from three-year-old plants of Carrizo citrange were exposed to mercuric chloride (0.1%) for different durations. In case of nodal segments, maximum survival (39.00%) and minimum microbial contamination (60.80%) was observed with mercuric chloride treatment for 10 min., whereas, shoot tips failed to establish:The explants were established on Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium supplemented with different concentrations of BAP, NAA and IBA. Maximum culture establishment (97.20%) was observed highest on MS medium supplemented with BAP (2 mu M) + NAA (1 mu M). Season of culturing also effected the establishment of shoot cultures as maximum establishment (96.60%) was observed during April-May followed by August-September. The highest shoot proliferation (3.64 per explant) and shoot length (3.71 cm) were also recorded on MS medium supplemented with BAP (2 mu M) + NAA (1 mu M). The micro-shoots were rooted on half-and full-strength media supplemented with different concentrations of IBA and NAA. Earliest root induction (10.60 days) and maximum rooting (53.89%) were observed on MS medium supplemented with IBA (10 mu M) + malt extract (500 mg/I). Maximum number of roots per shoot (1.37) and root length (5.0 cm) were observed on half-strength MS medium containing IBA (2.5 mu M) + NAA (2.5 mu M). The maximum ex vitro plantlet survival (81.4%) was observed in potting mixture consisting of cocopeat + vermiculite + perlite (2:1:1).