Production of Gladiolus Mosaic Virus-Free Plants Through Meristem Tip Culture and in Combination with Thermotherapy and Chemotherapy

When the entire population of a clone is infected, the only way to obtain pathogen free plants is through meristem tip culture. In the present investigation, the cent percent mosaic virus infected gladiolus cultivars, viz, Mayur, Melody, Pusa Suhagin and Suchitra were subjected to meristem tip culture alone and/or in combination with chemo-and thermotherapy. Eighty to hundred per cent virus free plants were obtained irrespective of the treatments. Virus indexing was done twice using Dot-Immuno Binding Assay (DIBA). The size of the meristem (0.1 to 0.3 mm) had a major role in eliminating the virus. In-vitro virus-free cormels were produced for all cultivars.