Clonal propagation of mulberry (Morus indica L. cultivar M-5) through in vitro culture of nodal explants

Abstract

A high frequency of sprouting (80.0%) and shoot differentiation was observed in the primary cultures of nodal explants of Morus indica L. cultivar M-5 on MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D (0.3 mg/l). In vitro proliferated shoots were multiplied rapidly by culture of shoot tips on MS medium with BAP (0.5 and 1.0 mg/l) which produced the greatest multiple shoot formation. Multiplication was also achieved by culture of shoot tips on MS medium with BAP (4.0 mg/l) and GA3 (0.05 mg/l) which facilitated the elongation of shoots followed by sprouting of axillary buds of in vitro grown shoots. A high frequency of rooting (86.7%) with development of healthy roots was observed from shoots cultured on medium with 2,4-D (1.0 mg/l). Plants with well developed roots were transferred to soil with a survival frequently of 80%.