Combined in vitro and in vivo propagation for rapid multiplication of grapevine cv. Arka Neelamani

Abstract

A novel combination of in vitro and in vivo approaches was employed to generate sufficient stock of an introduced grape (Vitis vinifera L.) cv. Arka Neelamani which significantly accelerated the multiplication rate. The in vitro part included induction of root and shoot growth in shoot tip and nodal microcuttings in MS medium containing 1 μM IAA, sequential pruning of shoots at 1, 1.5, and 2 months, leaving the basal one to two nodes, resulting in fresh sprouts on the stump, and use of remaining stumps for in vivo establishment. The in vivo part included acclimatization of in vitro rooted plantlets and stumps, use of single node cuttings from 1.5- to 2-month-old in vivo shoots for the subsequent propagation, and utilizing the fresh sprout growth from these cuttings and in vivo stumps for further propagation. Employing both in vitro and in vivo approaches, we achieved a multiplication rate unparalleled to the general micropropagation or conventional propagation and significant stock was obtained within 6 months of introducing the material. The in vivo plants exhibited adult characters like distichous phyllotaxy, three lobed leaves and normal pattern of tendril development within 2 months from planting.