Standardization of in vitro micropropagation of Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) using nodal explants

Present investigation was carried out to arrive at an effective micropropagation protocol for Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) using nodal segments from actively growing plants as explants. Explants were collected from current season shoots during April-May just after the initiation of new flush. Combined sterilization treatment of explants with 1.0% NaOCl₂ for 10 min followed by 70% ethanol for 10 s recorded highest culture survival (63.88%) and optimum culture asepsis (63.88%) followed by the treatment containing 0.1% HgCl₂ for 10 min followed by 70% ethanol for 10 s with culture survival (61.11%) and culture asepsis (69.44%). Highest culture establishment (80.55%) and minimum days to bud sprouting (7.62 days) was recorded with Benzyl adenine + Kinetin (3.0 + 1.0 mgL^-1) but maximum length (4.33 cm) and leaf number (7.78) of established micro shoots was recorded with Benzyl adenine + Kinetin (1.0 + 0.5 mgL^-1). Maximum proliferated shoots (2.41) and an optimum proliferation percentage (77.78 %) was recorded with Benzyl adenine + Kinetin (3.0 + 0.5 mgL^-1). Minimum size of proliferated shoots (2.02 cm) was recorded with Benzyl adenine + Kinetin (3.0 + 1.0 mgL^-1) followed by 2.25 cm recorded with Benzyl adenine + Kinetin (3.0 + 0.5 mgL^-1). Highest rooting (63.93%), primary root number/microshoot (4.74) and longest primary roots (34.67 mm) were recorded with IBA (2.0 mgL^-1). IBA yielded better results than NAA in terms of higher rooting percentage and root number. However, days to root initiation were found minimum (22.00) with 2.0 mgL^-1 of NAA. Highest ex vitro survival of rooted microshoots (89.67%) was recorded with IBA (2.0 mgL^-1).