Journal of Applied Horticulture. 2002: 4(2): 107-112

In vitro micropropagation of Ananas comosus L. (Merr.) var. Queen

Mandal, A B; Aparna Maiti; Elanchezhian, R

Plant Genetics and Biotechnology Division, Central Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair - 744 101, Andamans, India.

Axillary buds from crown of mature fruits, slips and suckers of pineapple cv. Queen cultured in MS medium supplemented with high auxin:cytokin ratio and then transferred to MS medium with high cytokinin:auxin ratio showed high establishment percentage. Shoot multiplication increased upon subculture on freshly prepared MS medium supplemented with benzyladenine (BA). The best multiplication medium was an MS medium supplemented with 2.5 mg BA/litre, 2 mg NAA and IBA/litre and 10% coconut water. In vitro grown shootlets were successfully rooted in MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg NAA and IBA/litre. The highest number of buds produced in 6 months was obtained from shaken liquid medium. Pulsing of explants enhanced the culture response as indicated by higher shoot multiplication rate in all types of explants.