Preparation of Synthetic Seeds of Citrus jambhiri Using in vitro Regenerated Multiple Plantlets

Biotechnological tools are useful for true-to-type propagation. Shoot tips encapsulation is potential for plant development from pre-existing meristematic tissue. MS medium fortified with 1 and 2 mg/L of BAP (6-bezylaminopurine) was found to be suitable for in vitro mass-multiplication of plantlets (10.18 and 13.05 plantlets/explant, respectively) of Citrus jambhiri from nodal segments. Nodal segments were more appropriate than the shoot tips for in vitro multiplication of plantlets. Synthetic seeds were prepared using 2.5% sodium alginate dropping into 3.0% CaCl2 solution. Maximum germination was recorded when beaded shoot tips were cultured on MS medium fortified with 1 and 2 mg/L of BAP (96.67 and 100.00%, respectively). However, the germination of synthetic seeds was found to be comparatively high than the earlier findings. The results support the use of encapsulated unipolar explants for synthetic seed preparation. These type of capsules could be useful in exchange of sterile material between laboratories, germplasm conservation and direct plant propagation.