Journal of Applied Horticulture. 2000: 2(2): 96-97

Effect of pulsing with paclobutrazol on microshoots of citrus species in vitro

Singh, I P; Parthasarathy, V A; Handique, P J

Biotechnology Laboratory, Division of Horticulture, ICAR Res. Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya - 793 103, India.

In vitro-grown microshoots of Assam lemon (C. limon) and Sweet lime "sour mutant" (C. limettioides) were pulsed for one minute with paclobutrazol solutions at 5 levels (0, 1000, 2500, 5000, and 7500 ppm) under laminar flow followed by inoculation in Murashige and Skoog's (MS) Medium. Observations on shoot length, root length, number of leaves, length of internode, root diameter, shoot weight, root weight, and plant weight were recorded after five weeks of culture initiation. Increased concentration of paclobutrazol suppressed the root length and increased the root diameter of both species. However, there was no response on shoot growth. Paclobutrazol-treated plants showed better survival at the nursery stage than control.