In Vitro Storage of Pineapple (Ananas spp.) Germplasm

Abstract

Sterile distilled water was found to be an acceptable medium for the maintenance of tissue-cultured plantlets of three Ananas accessions. Eighty-one percent of the plantlets survived 12 months at 25C in 1 ml of sterile distilled water. Plantlets stored in water for 12 months were observed to be more vigorous than those that were cultured for 12 months in full-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. However, medium containing l/4-strength MS salts and full-strength organics, 3% sucrose, and agar gave the best plant survival and vigor. None of the plantlets in this study produced callus. Only a single instance of axillary budbreak was observed in explants stored on the l/4-strength MS medium.