An efficient plant regeneration protocol from callus cultures of Citrus jambhiri Lush

Citrus jambhiri Lush. (family Rutaceae), commonly known as 'rough lemon', is one of the favourite rootstocks for lemons, oranges, mandarins, grape fruits and kinnows in Punjab. The present investigation deals with development of an efficient miropropagation protocol for Citrus jambhiri Lush. using cotyledons as explant. Maximum callus induction (91.66 %) was observed on MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D (2 mg/L) in combination with ME (500 mg/L). Green healthy calli were cut into small pieces and cultured on MS medium for regeneration. Maximum shoot regeneration (87.50 %) was observed with BA (3 mg/L). Effect of increasing age of callus was also studied which showed that callus retained regeneration capacity (58.33 %) even after 420 days of culture. Regenerated shoots were separated out and cultured on rooting medium. Maximum rooting response (91.67 %) was observed on half strength MS medium supplemented with NAA (0.5 mg/L). After hardening and acclimatization the plantlet were transferred to the field and showed 67 % survival.