Standardization of protocol for in vitro seed germination of Citrus indica Tanaka

Abstract

An experiment was conducted with different concentrations of cytokinins and auxins, either singly or in combinations with full and half strength Murashige & Skoog (MS) medium for in-vitro seed germination of Citrus indica Tanaka-an endangered Citrus species of Meghalaya. Among the various treatments tried in full strength MS medium earliest germination (4.33 days) was recorded in BAP 0.5 mg/l + NAA 0.5 mg/l and Kn 1.0 mg/l+ NAA 0.5 mg/l. Cent per cent germination was noted in treatments BAP 2.0 mg/l + IBA 0.5mg/l and Kn 0.5 mg/l+ NAA 0.5 mg/l. Longest shoot of 2.93 cm was observed in Kn1.5mg/l + IBA 0.5 mg/l while longest root of 2.9cm was was observed in Kn 0.5 mg/l+ NAA 0.5 mg/l. Similar treatments were tried in half strength MS medium and observed that BAP 1mg/l showed earlier (4.33 days) and complete germination (100%) with higher shoot length (3.13 cm) and root length (3.15 cm). Comparing the results obtained from full strength and half strength MS medium it can be concluded that half strength MS medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine @ 1.0 mg/l exhibited the best response for in vitro seed germination of Citrus indica.