Improved micropropagation and in vitro fruiting of Morus indica L. (K-2 cultivar)

A rapid economically viable micropropagation protocol has been developed in the present work for Morus indica L. (K-2 cultivar) utilizing the readily available nodal explants. Explants were established on different plant growth regulators (PGRs) either individually or in combinations. MS medium containing 1 mg L^-1 Kinetin (Kin) showed the best shoot multiplication with 4.8 ± 0.23 cm average shoot length and 6.5 ± 0.03 number of internodes. Regenerated shoots were elongated in MS medium supplemented with 1.5 mg L^-1 gibberellic acid (GA₃). Elongated shoots cultured in full-strength MS medium supplemented with 1 mg L^-1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) for one week and then cultured in half-strength MS proved to be more effective in rooting compared to other PGRs in significantly shorter duration. Micropropagated plants transferred to soil fortified with the quarter-strength of MS salts along with humidity regulation process showed 89% survival frequency. In vitro flowering in the regenerated shoots was also observed in the MS medium supplemented with (1.5 mg L^-1) Kin and carbon source replaced by commercial sugar cubes. This method can be effectively used for in vitro culture of M. indica in commercial scale owing to its enhanced quality and reduced time frame.