Indirect somatic embryogenesis from petiole segment in strawberry cv. Sweet Charlie

Abstract

A study was undertaken on somatic embryogenesis from petiole segments in strawberry (Fragaria x ananasa Duch.) cv. Sweet Charlie. The simple and feasible protocol for micropropagation via somatic embryogenesis from petiole segments from shadenet house maintained mother plants has been standardized. The petiole segments induced nodulated friable embryonic callus on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 1.0 mg/l each of thidiazuron (TDZ) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D). The development and maturation of somatic embryos was achieved on MS medium supplemented with abscisic acid (0.5 mg/l). Successful conversion of somatic embryos into plantlets was observed on hormone-free half-strength MS medium. The regenerated plantlets were successfully acclimatized in pre-sterilized cocopeat at primary hardening stage. The survival rate of tissue cultured plants was 65.0%. Further trials are on under shadenet and greenhouse conditions to judge their ex vitro performance.