MICROPROPAGATION OF KAINTH (Pyrus pashia) - AN IMPORTANT ROOTSTOCK OF PEAR IN NORTHERN SUBTROPICAL REGION OF INDIA

Micropropagation of Kainth using nodal explants was carried out in tissue culture laboratory, Department of Fruit Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during 2011-13. The effect of various media {1/2 MS (M1), MS (M2) and WPM (M3)} and growth regulators (BAP, IBA and NAA) on establishment, proliferation and rooting was studied. Per cent necrotic culture was found to be influenced by type of media and growth regulator fortification during establishment stage. Least necrotic culture percentage in Kainth was observed by using M2 medium supplemented with BAP (1.5 mgl -1 ) and IBA (0.01 mgl -1 ). M2 medium containing BAP (1.5 mgl -1 ) and IBA (0.25 mgl -1 ) gave maximum explant establishment (52.80 %). During proliferation stage, M3 medium supplemented with BAP (3.0 mgl -1 ) resulted in highest proliferated cultures (83.19%). Similarly the highest shoots per explant were obtained using M3 medium supplemented with BAP (3.0 mgl -1 ). However, shoots of maximum length were obtained in M3 medium containing BAP (0.0 mgl -1 ) i.e control. Per cent rooting, roots per explant and root length was found to be influenced by type of medium and growth regulator fortification. IBA (0.1 mgl -1 ) induced maximum rooting (14.08 %) using M1 medium however, NAA (1.0mgl -1 ) induced rooting of 27.46 per cent using M1 medium. Similarly using IBA, maximum roots per explant were obtained using M1 medium supplemented with IBA (1.0mgl -1 ). However, NAA (1.0 mgl -1 ) induced highest roots per explant i.e 3.60 using M2 medium. M3 supplemented with IBA (0.1 mgl -1 ) resulted in maximum root length of 31.10 mm however, NAA (1.0 mgl -1 ) resulted in maximum root length of 23.22 mm using M3 medium. Rehman H U*, Gill M I S**, Sidhu G S and Dhaliwal H S