In vitro micropropagation of Citrus aurantifolia (lime)

This paper describes a micropropagation technique for lime, Citrus aurantifolia Christm. Swing., using nodal explants of mature trees. Nodes were cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium containing indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) at 0, 0.5 and 1 mg l(-1) combined with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg l(-1) in combination with 6-furfurylaminopurine (kinetin) at 0, 0.5 and 1 mg l(-1). Best results for multiple shoot formation, 8 shoots per node, were obtained with I mg F I BAP and 0.5 mg l(-1) kinetin. The concentration of IBA had little effect on shoot multiplication. Shoot elongation appeared to favour 0.25 mg l(-1) BAP combined with 1 mg l(-1) kinetin. Shoot elongation and leaf size were inhibited in response to high levels of BAP. Transfer of shoots to a rooting medium induced the highest percentage of rooting, 56 %, on 1 mg l(-1) IAA. Plantlets survived in soil and exhibited normal growth in a greenhouse.