Micropropagation of Miniature Rose cv. Ice Fairy: Impact of growth regulators on in-vitro shooting and rooting

Aim: The aim of this experiment was to optimize a procedure for in-vitro micro-propagation of Miniature Rose cv. Ice Fairy (Rosa hybrida L.) utilizing the nodal segments as an explant. Methodology: The impact of cytokinins and gibberellins was investigated under in-vitro conditions. Different levels of BAP (6- Benzylaminopurine) (1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 mg l-1), focusing on the developmental stages of explant whereas GA3 (Gibberellic acid) was employed for shoot elongation and flowering. Activated charcoal (1 g l-1) was added into the medium to inhibit phenolic oxidation. Results: The highest shoot initiation was found in treatment T4 (94 %) with culture survival rate of 86 % when Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium was supplemented with 2.5 mg l-1 BAP and 1 g l-1 activated charcoal. The highest number of elongated shoots were noted in the medium containing 2.5 mg l-1 BAP and 1 mg l-1 GA3. It was observed that MS media supplemented with BAP was successful for shooting as well as rooting. In-vitro plantlets with 5 to 6 roots, each measuring 4-5 cm in length were carefully removed and transplanted into sterilized glass jars. The jars had a mixture of sand, coco-peat and soil in 1:1:2 (v/v) ratio, which was moistened with 30 % of MS basal liquid medium. Interpretation: These findings may therefore contribute towards the commercial micropropagation of miniature roses. Key words: 6-Benzylaminopurine, In-vitro propagation, Miniature rose, MS media, Phenolic oxidation