Factors affecting successful ex vitro microgragfting of sour lime (Citrus aurantifolia) in order to rescue rootless shoots

This study was carried out to evaluate factors affecting ex vitro micrografting of sour lime (Citrus aurantifolia L.) such as size and type of scions, grafting type, micrografted plantlets conditions and usage of nutrient medium, in order to rescue rootless shoots developed form tissue culture or genetically transformed shoots. Our results showed that the optimum efficiency was achieved when bigger and woodier scions were used in conventional grafting method under controlled environmental conditions. Furthermore, soluble nutrients injected into the micrograft did not show significant difference compared with the control. However, the number of successfully ex vitro micrografted explants treated with MS medium containing agar was higher than the parafilm covered micrografted explants. MS medium supplemented with agar can act as an additional nutritional source to the micrografted explants during the early days of micrografting. Moreover, it gives better anchorage and humidity support for scions and helps with the gradual acclimatization of them in in vivo conditions.