Establishment of in vitro plantlets of Camellia sinensis L. under ex vitro conditions.

Abstract

An attempt was made ot improve the survival rate of ni vitro plantlets under ex vitro conditions. Synthetic seeds (encapsulated zygotic embryogenic axes) were germinated under ni vitro conditions. A18' week of culture, plantlets (with more than 2cm long shoot) were collected from ni vitro cultures and transplanted in smal nursery bags, each contained 100% soil (generally used for propagation of tea) or soil mixture of 100% soil: coconut coir dust (1:1 v/v). They were maintained under the sealed polythene tent covered with the coir matting ni the nursery: Plants under polythene tent were observed every week. The results showed that in vitro plantlets (96 ₫ 4%) were successfully established ni the soil: coconut coir dust 1(: 1v/v) than in 10% soil. Further, ni vitro plantlets (with more than 2 cm long shoot) collected from cultured synthetic seeds were transplanted in hte above soil mixture. One batch of these plantlets was maintained under polythene cover for 8 weeks alter transplanting and the other batch for 16 weeks to achieve healthy plants. tI was noted that ni vitro plantlets maintained under polythene tent for 16 weeks, performed better under nursery conditions and plants had vigorous growth. However, the present study showed that maximum survival of in vitro plantlets would be achieved initially ni the soil mixture. After successful establishment of these ni vitro plantlets under polythene tent, they must be transferred to 100% soil after 8 weeks of transplanting of in vitro plantlets. This basic information would be useful ot establish the ni vitro plantlets successfully under xe vitro conditions