Indian Journal of Horticulture

Nodal segments of five strawberry cultivars, viz., Festival, Chandler, Sweet Charlie, Selva and Seascape were excised and cultured to study the response of different strawberry cultivars under influence of growth promoting substances. Nodal segments were cultured for 21 days on the initiation medium supplemented with various thidiazuron (TDZ) levels (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mg/l), BA (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mg/l) and combination of various levels of BAP with GA (0.5 mg/l). Following shoot initiation, rooting was instigated on the medium supplemented with IBA concentrations for 4 weeks. Cultivars, growth regulators and their interactions showed significant effect on shoot induction and initiation. Chandler and Festival showed 100% proliferation in MS medium supplemented with 1.0 or 1.5 mg/l TDZ. Chandler with 1.0 mg/l TDZ also recorded maximum response for number of shoots and shoot length with minimum number of days taken to shoot initiation. However, maximum shoot length was recorded in 1.5 mg/l BA + 0.5 mg/l GA. Rooting response among different strawberry cultivars and IBA concentrations showed that Chandler and Festival recorded 100% rooting in IBA (0.5 and 1.0 mg/l) supplemented medium. Chandler in 1.0 mg/l IBA gave the maximum shoot number and root length with minimum number of days taken to root formation. Therefore, Chandler in 1.0 mg/l TDZ supplemented medium response better for shoot proliferation and other shooting characters. Chandler on medium supplied with 1 mg/l IBA responded well for rooting characters.