Abstract

Satkora or hatkora is found confined in evergreen forests of N. E. India primarily are of seedling origin, therefore show a tremendous variation in their morphology among its population. Due to lack of selection of any superior germplasm, the farmers have been planting trees of seedling origin of unknown yield potential and quality. Since this method could not meet the demands of planting material, an investigation was carried out during 2016-17 at department of Biotechnology, Mizoram University to develop rapid and cost-effective in vitro protocols for propagation of citrus hatkora with the objective of enhancing the rate of multiplication and for maintaining the stocks of germplasm for many years. In vitro organogenesis of C. macroptera was done with the use of leaf and node explants derived from in vitro raised plants. The explants were inoculated on Murashige and Skoog media supplemented with NAA, BAP, 2,4-D and Kinetin alone or in combination. The investigation revealed that full strength MS medium is the best for in vitro hatkora seed germination. Further, maximum callus formation from the excised plant was observed on 2,4-D (2mg/L) and shoot formation on BAP (2mg/L). In addition, the antioxidant properties and the total phenolic content of the fruits was determined using was determined using DPPH method Folin-ciocalteau method revealed that the peel of hatkora fruit has maximum content. Therefore, There needs to be renewed focus on organogenesis using vegetative tissues like leaf explant. Diversity analysis and marker-assisted selection will go a long way in fastening the breeding and germplasm management. Research focus should be done on identification of chemical structure of all the bioactive compounds present on this high valued fruits for future use of humankind.