Development of micrografting technique for rescue of in vitro regenerants of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)

Abstract

Successful regeneration of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) plants has been achieved by in vitro micro-grafting of tissue cultured shoots onto a healthy stock. Of the 20 established shoots after inosculation of the scion with the stock, 15 plants were transferred to autoclaved soil. Four shoots produced single flower bud each with pollen at maturity. One shoot produced a single seed. Microscopic study of the initial stages of grafting revealed fonnation of mass of cells (Callus Bridge) at the junction of graft. Wedge/'V' cleft grafting followed by culturing onto either solid \;, strength MS medium or MS with 0.2 mg/L BAP + 0.3 mglL KIN in 350 ml culture bottles at 22 0 C, 60-70 % RH,160 ~ mol light intensity for 30-45 days resulted in successful establishment of shoots. Acclimatization procedures are in standardization phase for obtaining sturdy shoot