Establishment of axenic cultures in Pomegranate cultivars Bhagwa and Super Bhagwa

Abstract

Success of a commercially viable protocol for mass multiplication of plants using tissue culture begins with effective elimination of microbial contamination by pre-treatment and surface sterilization methods. In the present study, nodal explants of pomegranate cv. Bhagwa and Super Bhagwa were established using different durations and concentrations of anti-microbial agents followed by inoculation in the culture media for initiation. Among different treatments tested, it was observed that in both the cultivars explants pre-treated with Carbendazim 0.2% + (Metalaxyl-M + Mancozeb) 0.2% + 8 HQ 200ppm for 1 h followed by surface sterilization in laminar airflow chamber with Mercuric chloride (HgCl2)@ 0.1% for 6 min. was proved to be effective method in culture establishment, with maximum survival percentage (57.13% and 67.41% respectively). Among the cultivars Bhagwa showed the maximum survival percentage (33.67% and 36.43%, respectively) when treated with Carbendazim 0.2% + (Metalaxyl-M + Mancozeb) 0.2% + 8 HQ 200ppm for 1 h followed by surface sterilization with Mercuric chloride (HgCl2) @ 0.1% for 6 min with minimum mortality of the explants.