An efficient and reliable protocol on in vitro propagation of ‘Colt’ (Prunus avium F 299/2 x Prunus pseudocerasus Lind) rootstock of cherry

Abstract Background The 'Colt' is a triploid hybrid of P. avium and P. pseudocerasus L. grown as a cherry rootstock because of its resistance to cherry stem pitting (a debilitating virus disease), Phytophthora root rot, bacterial canker, and gopher damage. Results The current study was carried out using two types of explants: forced (F 1 ) and unforced (F 2 ) and five types of sterilants were used to sterilize explants: 10% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) for 10 minutes (S1), 0.1% mercuric chloride (HgCl2) for 5 minutes (S2), ethyl alcohol for 10 seconds (S3), (S1) + (S3) & (S2) + (S3) for sterilization. During culture establishment, six growth regulator regimes viz., BA (Benzyl adenine) (0.20), (0.40) & (0.60) and BA+IBA (Indole-3-butyric acid) (0.20+0.01), (0.40+0.01), and (0.60+0.01) mg/l, two media i.e., MS (Murashige and Skoog, 1962)& WPM (Woody Plant Medium)& two types of explants viz., forced (F 1 ) & unforced shoot tips(F 2 ) were utilized. During shoot proliferation, MS & WPM culture medium with growth regulators viz., BA (0.20), (0.40) & (0.60), BA+IBA (0.20+0.01), (0.40+0.01) and (0.60+0.01) mg/l were used respectively. During rhizogenesis using different media (MS & WPM) with various levels of IBA (0.50), (1.00) (1.50), and (2.00) mg/l, respectively were used. The superior rooted plants were hardened in sand & cocopeat respectively. Conclusion In this experiment, maximum culture asepsis (%) obtained in unforced shoot tips(F 2 ) with (S 5 ),maximum explant survival (%) in forced shoot tips (F 1 ) with (S 4 ), and highest establishment (%) with MS medium, BA (0.6) mg/l & in forced shoot tips (F 1 ). Significantly higher shoot proliferation is obtained with MS medium with BA (0.6) mg/l , maximum shoot number & length in WPM medium with BA (0.2) mg/l. A significantly higher rooting percentage was obtained in MS medium with IBA (1.00) mg/l with maximum ex vitro survival (%) in cocopeat.