Abstract
The limited availability of high-quality planting material hinders the popularization of bael (Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr.) as a profitable cash crop in Sri Lanka. Five elite bael accessions, namely, Beheth Beli, Paragammana, Mawanella, Rambukkana, and Polonnaruwa-Supun, have been identified and used for mass propagation through budding and grafting. However, this process gets hampered by the limitations in large-scale production of planting material. Micropropagation is an alternative technique to produce clonal plants in large-scale; however, no established protocol is available for the field-grown elite bael accessions in Sri Lanka, and hence, the present study was conducted. The best sterilization method was found to be the washing of explants in a 2.5% fungicide solution for two hours. The full MS and ½MS media provided significantly similar performance in shooting, as indicated by the measured parameters. The twig plants did better than leaf explants concerning shoot extension, in which twig explants yield 1.33 cm taller shoots. The 1 mg/l of BAP concentration generated the highest number of shoots (6.20) and the most extended shoots (3.83 cm). The most successful rooting (60% success) was spotted with full MS, 1 mg/ml NAA, and 3% sugar. As previously reported, the successful micropropagation is possible if the explants are harvested from April to June, immediately after the fruiting season of the plant. The established protocol can mass-produce clonal bael plants from the elite accessions.
Highlights
Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr. of family Rutaceae, commonly known as bael, is a medicinal fruit tree fruit species [1]
Bael is a well-established medicinal fruit tree species, and the selections from the wild germplasm have led to larger fruit sizes and superior fruit qualities. e elite bael plants have been identified, and attempts have been made to multiply them for large-scale cultivations in India [9]
It is challenging to produce a large amount of planting material through budding and grafting techniques. us, plant tissue culture techniques can be used as an alternative to overcome problems associated with the multiplication of superior trees identified in the wild/field
Summary
Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr. of family Rutaceae, commonly known as bael, is a medicinal fruit tree fruit species [1]. E ripened fruit is the economically important plant part of bael, and all the plant parts have essential medicinal properties [3, 4]. Us, plant tissue culture techniques can be used as an alternative to overcome problems associated with the multiplication of superior trees identified in the wild/field. It is essential to develop a micropropagation protocol for the explants collected directly from the mother plants growing in the field to multiply the bael accessions. Erefore, the present study was conducted to develop a protocol for multiplication of bael from plant materials collected from trees identified as accessions by the Fruit Research and Development Station (FCRDS) at Gannoruwa, Sri Lanka It is essential to develop a micropropagation protocol for the explants collected directly from the mother plants growing in the field to multiply the bael accessions. e establishment of cultures without contamination is one of the major problems when explants are collected from field-grown trees [16]. us, the development of a specific sterilization technique for plant materials obtained from the field is an essential requirement before identifying the growth stage for the collection of plant materials and perfecting the medium composition for multiplication of plants. erefore, the present study was conducted to develop a protocol for multiplication of bael from plant materials collected from trees identified as accessions by the Fruit Research and Development Station (FCRDS) at Gannoruwa, Sri Lanka
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
