Effect of Surface Sterilization of Tagetes erecta L. Cv. Inca Yellow Hybrid and Orange Hybrid Nodal Explant on Aseptic in vitro Propagation

The present investigation was conducted to find out the most suitable surface sterilant and timing for reducing the contaminant in the nodal explants of Tagetes erecta L. Cv. Inca Yellow hybrid and Orange hybrid inoculated in MS basal media. Among the various sterilants and timing the explants sterilized with 0.1 % HgCl2 for 10 Min+ 1% NaOCl for 2Min significantly reduced the percentage of contamination and maximum asceptic culture in Inca Yellow hybrid (43.33) and Inca Orange hybrid (40.00). This study is highly helpful and useful for the mass multiplication of true to type disease free planting materials.