In vitro culture of clonal rootstocks of apple for their commercial exploitation

For large scale production and to meet the demand of apple rootstock plants, the technology of in vitro multiplication is of great use and application. In this work, repeatable and improved micropropagation protocols have been developed for selected rootstocks of apple and for the production of quality planting material. Axillary buds and shoot apices were in vitro initiated and multiplied on Murashige and Skoog (1962, MS) medium supplemented with 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP), Kinetin (Kn), Gibberellic acid (GA₃), with or without auxin. Shoots were rooted, hardened and randomly tested for trueness to type; they were found genetically stable. Nurseries were set at different locations of our University where high survival and satisfactory growth rates have been achieved. Afterwards, plants were distributed to farmers and the in vitro technology was transferred to entrepreneurs for further commercialization.