Efficient Regeneration System for the Improvement of Kinnow mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco)

Kinnow mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco.) is a highly adaptable variety among citrus cultivars. An efficient system for in vitro regeneration by organogenesis starting from seed of (C. reticulata Blanco) was developed. Seeds were treated by Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) to initiate callus induction. The best result (96%) were obtained when seeds were treated with MS basal media + 2,4-D (16.0) μM. The regeneration system tested allowed the attainment of highest shoots (90 %) with BA 13.0 μM. An average of 7.8 well-differentiated shoots per explant was obtained. Highest rooting (85%) was achieved in culture medium with 10.0 μM IBA. The well-developed plantlets were transferred to potting mixture. Of the rooted plant, 95% adapted well to soil conditions. Keywords: C. reticulata Blanco, In vitro, Callus induction, Shoot formation, Explant, Rooting. Abbreviations: μM = Micromolar, BA = Benzyl adenine, IBA = Indole-3-butyric acid, TSS = Total soluble solids, NAA