Efficient in vitro micro propagation of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Abstract

In the present study, the explants (stem and leaf segments) of six tomato varieties viz. Cherry-1, Cherry-2, Cherry-3, Cherry-4, Cherry-5 and Cherry-6 were used. These explants were inoculated into MS media supplemented with various types of growth regulators for the callus induction and subsequent in vitro regeneration of plantlets. The nature and texture of callus was different on the basis of varieties, types of explant and hormonal combinations. The best performance for callus induction was obtained in MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l BAP + 1.0 mg/l 2, 4-D from all two explants of four varieties. In case of all varieties, the callus derived from leaf segments was whitish nodular and the callus from leaf segments was also whitish nodular. In case of callus induction Cherry-3 and Cherry-6 variety were observed to give better response than Cherry-2 and Cherry-5 variety. MS medium with 2.0 mg/l BAP+2 mg/l NAA was found to be optimum for shoot regeneration and shoot multiplication of all four varieties. The highest root induction was recorded in MS medium with 2.0 mg/l NAA + 2.0 mg/l Kin for six varieties. After sufficient root formation, the in vitro regenerated plantlets were acclimatized gradually and the best survival rate after acclimatization was 40%. Among the six varieties, Cherry-6 variety was found to be the most responsive genotypes in terms of different parameters such as ability to primary culture establishment, rate of callus induction, shoot initiation and multiplication, root formation and acclimatization