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A modified technique for <i>in vitro</i> propagation of papaya (<i>Carica papaya</i> L.)
Abstract
Carica papaya L. is an
important crop in many subtropical and tropical countries. Many problem areas
still exist with the commercial in vitro propagation of papaya. These
include leaf senescence, stunted plants produced as a result of cytokinin
toxicity, reduced rooting ability and poor root quality. A technique using
activated charcoal at 3g l–1 as an intermediary culture step before
rooting, improved the overall condition and maturity of the microplants thus
reducing the cytokinin-toxicity effects resulting from long term use of this
phytohormone. Rooting was achieved by soaking the bases of the plantlets in a
5mg l–1 IBA solution for one hour and transferring them to a
sucrose-free vermiculite medium. This method improved on a double inoculation
method previously used where plants were inoculated into an IBA containing
medium and then transferred to an IBA-free medium three days later. To reduce
ethylene build-up within flasks, the lids were modified to contain small
openings plugged with cotton wool. These were removed during initial
acclimatisation before transfer to the greenhouse.
South African Journal of Botany 2003, 69:
287–291
important crop in many subtropical and tropical countries. Many problem areas
still exist with the commercial in vitro propagation of papaya. These
include leaf senescence, stunted plants produced as a result of cytokinin
toxicity, reduced rooting ability and poor root quality. A technique using
activated charcoal at 3g l–1 as an intermediary culture step before
rooting, improved the overall condition and maturity of the microplants thus
reducing the cytokinin-toxicity effects resulting from long term use of this
phytohormone. Rooting was achieved by soaking the bases of the plantlets in a
5mg l–1 IBA solution for one hour and transferring them to a
sucrose-free vermiculite medium. This method improved on a double inoculation
method previously used where plants were inoculated into an IBA containing
medium and then transferred to an IBA-free medium three days later. To reduce
ethylene build-up within flasks, the lids were modified to contain small
openings plugged with cotton wool. These were removed during initial
acclimatisation before transfer to the greenhouse.
South African Journal of Botany 2003, 69:
287–291
