In vitro study of virus new strain JLCuGV infected nodal explants and production of planting material through meristem culture from virus-infected Jatropha curcas plants

Jatropha curcas is an important biodiesel plant as its seed contains 27–40% oil. The virus infection causes adverse effects on plant growth, and yield. The present study was carried out to develop plantlets from virus-infected plants using meristematic cultures. Cultures were also raised using nodal explant to figure out culture loss caused by the new strain of Jatropha leaf curl Gujarat virus (JLCuGV). Poor (48.3 ± 15.1 %) shoot bud induction was noted in virus-infected explants on MS medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Severe culture loss was noted upon subsequent sub-cultures of nodal explants. Apical meristem (MC) developed the highest (86.3 ± 12.5 %) shoot bud induction on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L Thidiazuron (TDZ). Best results in shoot proliferation and elongation were achieved on 1.0 mg/L BAP, 1.5 mg/L IAA and 0.5 mg/L Gibberellic acid (GA3) containing medium with 9.9 ± 1.7 number of shoot buds of 5.2 ± 0.5 cm shoot length. It was interesting to note that the rooting percentage was not affected by virus infection. Shoots obtained from virus-infected and meristem cultures rooted well without any significant difference in rooting percentage. It was known by the study that the generation of planting material from virus-infected plants was possible with meristem explants but recalcitrant with nodal explants.