Micropropagation and Improvement of Garlic (Alliiun Sativum L.) Through in Vitro Techniques

Abstract

Different aspects of micropropagation through meristem culture for the production of virus free plants, callus induction, somatic embryogenesis followed by subsequent plant regeneration, in vitro bulblet formation and field evaluation of the in vitro regenerated plants were studied on five commercial cultivars of garlic (Allium sativum L.) viz., GC002, GC008, GC009, GC0025 and Indian variety. For micropropagation, shoot tip of field grown mature garlic bulbs of five cultivars were used for meristem isolation. Meristems were cultured on to filter paper bridge in liquid MS medium. Among the different media formulations MS + 1.0 mg/1 2ip + 0.5 mg/1 NAA was found to be the best for primary establishment of meristems and for maximum shoot proliferation. Protocol was also developed to induce in vitro bulblets from meristem derived shoot clumps and among various concentrations of sucrose, 12% sucrose was found to be the best for in vitro bulblet formation for all the four cultivars. Same result was also found in callus culture. Rooted plantlets with bulblets of four garlic cultivars were gradually acclimatized and successfully established in the field. Visual evaluation of the morphological traits of the meristem derived plants showed that all plants were normal and free from virus diseases. Substantial yield increase was observed from meristem derived plants over their source plants. Among the four cultivars cv. GC0025 was found to be highly responsive for in vitro shoot proliferation and bulblet formation.