An efficient method for explant sterilization for reduced contamination

Abstract

An improved method for sterilization of explants was tested and found to be suitable for plants with elongated internodes, such as bamboos. Final cutting of the explants into single nodal segments for inoculation was done only after surface sterilization of multi-nodal explants in a stoppered glass measuring cylinder. This minimized penetration of the contaminants and the sterilizing agents into the exposed intercellular spaces and vascular cavities at the cut ends, thereby minimizing their harmful effects. The method was experimented upon three different plants, viz., bamboo, tea and rose. Through this method the number of cultures getting contaminated was substantially reduced as compared to the conventional means where single nodal explants were used, employing identical treatments. Moreover, in this method, the number of cultures showing bud-break also showed a marked increase thereby resulting in a tremendous increase in the percentage of successfully established proliferating cultures.