Micropropagation of Solanum lycopersicum L. using chemical free formulated organic plant growth media

Abstract

Micropropagation is a useful biotechnology technique for the generation of a large number of clonal plants of many economically important species in a short period. An effective protocol was developed for in vitro micropropagation of Solanum lycopersicum L. (tomato) using chemical-free organic vermicompost extract medium. This experiment aims to expose the advancement in plant tissue culture technique by using synthetic Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium and chemical-free organic vermicompost (30%) extract along with 4% coelomic fluid (obtained from the earthworms Eudrilus eugeniae) as a growth medium for in vitro studies. The response of roots, leaves, shoots, and nodes in both synthetic MS medium and chemical-free organic vermicompost extract medium was compared. Statistically significant differences for the number of roots (P =0.011), leaves (P=0.012), and nodes (P= 0.001) between the two media were reported. Both media showed the same shoot induction where no significant differences (P > 0.05) were found. A 100% plant survival rate on the chemical-free organic vermicompost extract medium was registered. A difference between the growth rate of the two different media was detected. The antimicrobial activity of vermicompost and coelomic fluid minimized the contamination level and subculturing. This study revealed that chemical-free organic vermicompost extract media is more economical and constitutes a better prospect than the MS medium for in vitro propagation of tomato.