Investigations on Some Factors affecting the in vitro Clonal Propagation of Baladi lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle).

Abstract

This study examined the impact of some factors on the in vitro clonal propagation of Baladi lime. According to results, shoot apices responded better than nodal explants in two growth media containing different concentrations of auxin and cytokinin. In initiation media devoid of auxin, different concentrations of BA and kinetin failed to induce adequate shoot proliferation. Upon transfer of these cultures to a unified auxin-containing multiplication medium, different multiplication rates were obtained based on the type and concentration of the cytokinin in the preceding initiation media with preference to BA at 3 mg/l and kinetin at 3-5 mg/l. Leaf abscission after the fourth week which was attributed to ethylene accumulation in the culture vessels was controlled by supplementing culture media with silver nitrate or sodium meta-bisulfite, but silver nitrate reduced the values of growth parameters.