Shoot tip culture in mango: influence of medium, genotype, explant factors, season and decontamination treatments on phenolic exudation, explant survival and axenic culture establishment.
Thomas P., Ravindra M. B.
Author Affiliation: Division of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta Lake, Bangalore 560 089, India.
Journal of Horticultural Science 72 : 713-722
Abstract : Attempts to establish shoot tip cultures of mango 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 half-strength MS medium than in full-strength MS and in semi-solid than in liquid medium. Among explant factors, age and shading of shoots, shoot length and thickness, injuries on explants and the number of petioles coming in contact with the medium were important, but not the age of trees 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 the lowest phenolics production, minimum microbial contamination, best explant survival and genotype-dependent growth response observed for current season's semimature shoots collected during June-August. Deep seated microbial contaminants could not be controlled completely. A scheme for establishing axenic cultures is suggested.