Vol. 12, Issue 3 (2023)

Author(s):
K Uma Maheswari, M Rajasekhar, DV Swamy, P Sudhakar and DR Salomi Suneetha

Abstract:
The present investigation entitled “In vitro propagation studies in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.)” was carried out in which CRD was applied to find the best treatments for controlling polyphenol exudation, shooting media, rooting media and hardening potting mixtures. The explants were collected from third node of the shoot apex, early in the morning during the spring season in the months of February and March. The size of explants was 2.0 to 5.0 cm in length, 1.0 to 3.0 mm in thickness and were excised with the help of sterilized scalpel and scissors. The freshly collected explants were washed with running tap water for 30 minutes, treated with an aqueous solution of teepol for 5 minutes and again washed 5-6 times thoroughly with distilled water. The explants were surface sterilized to eliminate Bacteria and fungal spores present on their surface. Isolated nodal explants were first washed thoroughly under running tap water for two minutes followed by rinsing with distilled water in order to remove dust and extraneous material. Then the material was rinsed in Tween-20 for 5 minutes, followed by Mercuric chloride 1000 mg/l for 15 min and bavistin 1500 mg/l for 30 min to eliminate the fungal and bacterial contamination. Finally the explants were thoroughly washed with double distilled water for 5-6 times. The polyphenol exudation recorded in MS medium + ascorbic acid 100 mg/l + activated charcoal 200 mg/l + silver nitrate 0.6 mg/l (T₆) on 6^th, 8^th, 10^th and 12^th day due to presence of antioxidants and adsorbents in required quantities, whereas, the exudation of polyphenols was recorded highest in MS medium (T₁) without any antioxidants and adsorbents.