In Vitro Regeneration of Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.)

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.), a popular fruit in Bangladesh, traditionally grows in temperate climates and spreads through runners, which are susceptible to diseases and have lower survival rates. To address this, the current study focuses on mass propagating disease-resistant explants. Using in vitro methods, strawberry seedlings are produced that can withstand diseases and thrive in any season, regardless of climate. The healthy, disease free shoot tips were used as explants, sterilized by 0.1% HgCl₂ mixed with few drops of Tween-20 and inoculated in MS media supplemented with different combination of the BA (1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 mg/l) and IBA (0.50, 1.00, 1.50, 2.00 and 2.50 mg/l) either alone or in combination. The highest shoot count (3.60) was seen with 3.0mg/l BA, and the most leaves (9.60) with 2.0 mg/l BA. However, a combination of 2.0 mg/l BA+1.00 mg/l IBA yielded the best shoot numbers, while 2.0 mg/l BA+0.5 mg/l IBA produced the most leaves per explant. The highest number of roots was observed in 2.0 mg/l BA+ 1.5 mg/l IBA and the highest length of root was observed in 2.0 mg/l BA+1.0 mg/l IBA. Single treatments of 2.0 mg/l IBA and 1.50 mg/l IBA respectively produced the highest root counts (4.00) and lengths (3.34). Overall, micro-propagation proved a highly effective and promising method for strawberry proliferation that can be used to enhance breeding programs.

⓿ Micro-propagation proved to be an effective and promising method for strawberry proliferation, offering a valuable tool for breeding programs.