Cost effective in vitro propagation of Gisela 5 cherry rootstock

Abstract

To decrease the cost of in vitro cultures of a clonal cherry rootstock Gisela 5 without any adverse effect on shoot quality, expensive medium components, i.e. sucrose, agar and distilled water were replaced with inexpensive substitutes i.e. table sugar, glucose, corn starch, isabgol (Psyllium husk), tapioca seeds and filtered water for the preparation of low cost mediums (LCMs). Different concentrations and combinations of these components were used for in vitro shoot multiplication and rooting. LCM1 comprising of MS salts with 3% sucrose and 4% corn starch as well as LCM5 containing MS salts with 4% table sugar and 4% corn starch were found to be the best for in vitro shoot multiplication and showed no significant difference in comparison to control. Highest shoot multiplication (1:5) with average shoot length 2.32, and 2.30 cm was observed on MS salts with 3% sucrose and 4% corn starch and MS salts with 4% table sugar and 4% corn starch, which did not show a decline on subsequent subcultures. For in vitro rooting, full strength, ½ strength and ¼ strength MS medium was used alone and with table sugar and corn starch to prepare low cost rooting media (LCRs). Highest in vitro rooting (100%) was obtained on half strength liquid and solid MS medium fortified with 0.5 mg L-1 IBA, and ½ LCR1. In vitro rooted plantlets were hardened in cocopeat with maximum survival (90%) on initial drenching with jeevamrut (3%). No morphological variations among regenerants were observed. A decline of 70% in cost of individual plantlet was observed by using these alternate low-cost agents.