Indian Journal of Horticulture

An efficient protocol for in vitro multiplication of hybrid tea rose cv. Pusa Mohit was developed using axillary bud explant. Out of different pre-treatments of explants with fungicides and bactericides tried, the highest explant survival (62.47%) was obtained with carbendazim (0.2%) + diathane M-45 (0.2%) + 8-HQC (200 mg/l) for 3 h on a horizontal shaker (120 rpm). The effect of different combinations of BAP (2.5, 3.0 and 3.5 mg/l), NAA (0.1 and 0.2 mg/l), and GA₃ (0.3 and 0.5 mg/l) on culture establishment and shoot proliferation was studied. MS medium supplemented with 3.5 mg/l BAP + 0.1 mg/l NAA + 0.5 mg/l GA₃ was found most effective for culture establishment and shoot proliferation with highest number of micro-shoots (5.30 shoots per explant). Rooting on micro-shoots was induced on half-strength MS basal medium supplemented with NAA (0.5 mg/l) + IBA (0.5 mg/l). The regenerated plantlets were efficiently hardened in glass jars filled with vermiculite + agropeat (1:2) moistened with one-quarter strength MS medium salts and covered with polypropylene lids. After hardening the plants were successfully transferred to the glasshouse with good survival.