Standardization of In vitro Organogenesis Techniques in Artocarpus altilis (Breadfruit)

Abstract

Artocarpus altilis (breadfruit) is a multipurpose tropical hardwood tree grown in the western coastal regions of India. It remains an endangered and underutilised crop across the world. The nutritional and medicinal value of its edible fruit can be utilised in agroforestry systems, which can generate an additional source of income for farmers. Traditionally, it is propagated using seeds (diploid cultivars), root cuttings, and grafting, which produce a limited number of plantlets and may also transmit diseases from source mother plants. Natural populations of breadfruit are continuously decreasing because of the unavailability of seeds, while triploid cultivars are unable to set seeds. In vitro organogenesis techniques can overcome these limitations and could be utilised for the mass multiplication of breadfruit cultivars. The current results show that MS medium performs better than WPM medium across all parameters tested for establishment and organogenesis. The highest proportion of aseptic cultures (83.67%) was established by sequential treatment with 70% ethanol (60 sec.), 2% sodium hypochlorite (10 min.), and 0.15% mercuric chloride (10 min.). On MS medium supplemented with 6-benzylamino purine (2.5 mgl-1), an organogenesis response of 77.17% was observed within 21 days. A maximum multiplication rate of 4.43 was observed on MS medium supplemented with 4.0 mgl-1 6-benzylamino purine and 0.5 mgl-1 kinetin. These findings were utilised for the mass in vitro multiplication of breadfruit.