Sterilization Protocol and Control of Polyphenol Exudation in Micropropagation of Pomegranate Cv. Bhagwa

C. Sandeep* and C.K. Suresh

The Department of Plant Biotechnology, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK Campus, Bellary Road, Bangalore - 560 065, India

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/bbra/1126

ABSTRACT: In the present study experiments were carried out for effective control of microbial contaminants and to control the excess polyphenol exudation from the cut ends of the explants of pomegranate Cv Bhagwa under tissue culture conditions. Explants from juvenile (5-6 months old polyhouse grown plants) and mature (6-7 years old trees) plants of Cv Bhagwa were used for the study. Overall explants from juvenile plants showed less contamination compared to the explants obtained from field. Explants from juvenile plants treated with bavistin at 1000 mg/l for 15 minutes and mercuric chloride at 1000 mg/l for 10 minutes showed less fungal and bacterial contamination in cultures bottles than other treatments. Similarly explants from mature plants treated with bavistin at 1500 mg/l for 25 minutes and mercuric chloride at 1000 mg/l for 10 minutes showed less fungal and bacterial contamination in cultures bottles than other treatments. Combined Inclusion of PVP, ascorbic acid or activated charcoal in the media controlled phenol exudation but not completely. Explants were also kept in dark for 1 week to control phenolics. The sub culturing of explants thrice, at an interval of 24 h, controlled browning effectively in most of the explants.

KEYWORDS: Microbial contaminants; Sub-culturing; Polyphenols; Browning; Fungicide; Pomegranate

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