In Vitro Development and convertibility of Nucellar Embryos of Mangifera indica L. Bappakai, A Dwarfing Rootstock

Embryos differentiated fromm the nucellus of young ovular halves of Mangifera indica L. Bappakai, and important dwarfing rootstock variety, on BM1 medium supplemented with 0.25 mgl-1 BA and 1 mgl-1 NAA. Their proliferation was achieved in the medium containing 0.25 mgl-1 N6-(2-isopentenyl) adenine and 0.5 mgl NAA, a decline in magnitude of embryo proliferation noticed in long-term cultures. For near-synchronized development, maturation, germination (visible plumule with developed root) and convertibility (plantlet fornation) of cotyledonary embryos, the liquid state of nutrient medium was required. The presence of 0.01 mgl-1 abscisic acid together with 100 mgl-1 polyethylene glycol (M. Wt. 400) and 0.1 mgl-1 IAA in the basal medium BM2 promoted development and maturation of embryos followed by their germination. The maximum percentage of germination obtained was 94% with embryos of 1.5 cm and 2 cm in length. Howeverr, 80% of such germinated embryos converted into plantlets, with well-developed green leaves, on subculture in the same medium in the former case, while 76% in the latter. The in vitro-raised plantlets showed about 50% successs in harding.