In vitro propagation of Citrus megaloxycarpa

Abstract An efficient micropropagation protocol was established for Citrus megaloxycarpa Lush., a highly acidic citrus cultivar of Manipur, India, through shoot tip explant culture. The shoot tip explants produced multiple shoot buds when cultured on agarized Murashige and Skoog’s medium containing 0.25 to 2 mg L –1 N6 benzyl adenine (BA) alone, and in combination with 0.50 mg L naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) or with 0.50 mg L –1 kinetin. The maximum number of shoots was induced on medium containing 0.25 mg L BA together with 0.50 mg L –1 NAA or 1 mg L BA with 0.50 mg L –1 kinetin. The separated shoots were rooted and elongated on medium containing 1 to 2 mg L –1 indole acetic acid, indole butyric acid and NAA. NAA was superior to other growth regulators for in vitro root induction. Axillary shoots were induced from in vitro raised plantlets by decapitating them. Axillary shoot tip explants were used for further multiple shoot bud induction. A maximum of about 120 plantlets were obtained from a single seedling. Rooted plantlets were successfully established in the soil. Efficient mass multiplication of this important fruit was achieved.