Hardening and ex vitro establishment of rose plantlets

Abstract

Plantlets regenerated by in \ilro techniques under high humidity and low temperature in an artificial medium did not survive by direct planting out in small pots. An improvised structure made of wooden frame and polyethylene cover helped to maintain high humidity to ex vitro plantlets. Attempts made to get successful field establishment with different potting media and nutrient solutions did not give any positive results. Successful hardening and ex vitro establishment of plantlets were achieved by surface inoculation of different species of vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae {VAM). Inoculation with Glomus etunicatum (Becker and Gerd) recorded the highest survival rate of 66.67 per cent, and took minimum days for flowering.