Shoot tip culture in mango: Influence of medium, genotype, explant factors, season and decontamination treatments on phenolic exudation, explant survival and axenic culture establishment

SummaryAttempts to establish shoot tip culture in mango (Mangifera indica L.) genotypes ‘Alphonso’, ‘Totapuri’, ‘Banganapalli’ and ‘Arka Anmol’ indicated that the problems of phenolic exudation, medium discoloration and explant browning were interrelated and influenced by a number of factors including medium, genotype, explant, season and decontamination treatments. Less phenolic exudation and better explant survival were observed in ½MS medium than full MS and in semi-solid than in liquid medium. Among explant factors, age and shading of shoots, length, thickness and scaling injuries on explant and lower cut petioles coming in contact with medium were important, but not the age of tree and the number of leaves on the shoot. Use of charcoal was beneficial but other adsorbents, antioxidants, dark incubation and submerged culture were not advantageous. The effect of season was prominent with least phenolics, minimum microbial contamination, best explant survival and genotype dependent growth response in current season’s semimature shoots collected during June-August. Deep seated microbial contaminants could not be checked completely. A scheme for establishing in vitro culture is suggested.