Shiwanand Pandey, Ragini Dubey and Rashmi Dubey
Abstract
The pepino (Solanum muricatum Aiton), has been described as a succulent, juicy, and sweet fruit that is used mainly in desserts, although some cultivars have been used in salads due to their higher acidity content and grassy flavor notes. The pepino plant is a diploid (2n = 24) subtropical species and is also known as melon pear, melon shrub, or sweet cucumber. Native species from South America, Effect of different concentrations of auxin as well as cytokinin in tissue culture enables the production of large number of plants through mother plant. It enables the pepino plant to produce large number of plants with desired traits quickly. It ensures that there is no genetic variation because, it is carried out under in vitro and sterile conditions, which means that it kills any pathogen, pest or disease already contained on the plant therefore, reducing the risk of the parent plant transferring diseases to the offspring. Viewing the above motto the present study was carried out in the Tissue Culture Laboratory of the Department of Horticulture, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh during the year 2018-2020. All experiments were directed to the development of technology and motivated by practical demands. The aim of the study was to develop efficient rooting as well as plant regeneration protocols in pepino plant. The established explants in the culture medium days taken for root initiation for pepino plant was minimum (6.84 days) was noted under IBA 3.00ppm + BAP 1.50ppm found significantly superior over all treatment and the least number of days taken for shoot development was observed (24.91) in the treatment IBA 3.00ppm + BAP 1.00ppm. The maximum percentage of root development (82.28) per cent was observed with concentration of IBA 3.0ppm and BAP 1.00ppm. Maximum root per plantlet obtained from the established culture (5.98) was found under the treatment of IBA 3.00ppm + BAP 1.00ppm and maximum development on length of root per plantlet (3.76 cm) respond to growth regulator supplemented with IBA 3.00ppm + BAP 1.00ppm; While maximum number of secondary roots/root obtained from the established culture (9.23) was found under the treatment of IBA 3.00ppm + BAP 1.00ppm.