Standardization of in vitro mass multiplication protocol for hybrid tea rose cv. Pusa Mohit

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.