Standardization of Protocol for In Vitro Micropropagation of Morus alba L., An Important Economical and Medicinal Plant

Abstract

An efficient regeneration protocol for Morus alba L. was developed using nodal explants on MS medium augmented with different concentrations and combinations of plant growth regulators. The highest frequency (80.0%) of bud breaks and shoot induction was observed on medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l BAP along with 0.5 mg/l NAA with the formation of 5.1±0.1 number of shoots 30 days.  MS medium fortified with the same combination of GR (1.0 mg/l BAP and NAA (0.5 mg/L) added with 10% Coconut water showed the highest percentage (80.0%) shoot multiplication, directly from the explants, without any callus formation. Elongated shoots were rooted best on MS medium with 20 mg/l AC producing maximum number of roots with average length 7.0±0.6 cm within 20 days. The plantlets were gradually acclimatized and successfully transferred to field condition with 90% survival rate after rooting. The standardized protocol reported in this study may help in large scale propagation of this plant species which is currently exploited from the nature.