An efficient micropropagation protocol for Ficus carica cv. Golden Orphan suitable for mass propagation

Abstract Fig (Ficus carica L.) is from the Moraceae family and is rich in essential nutrients, natural fiber and vitamins. The Golden Orphan cultivar is a yellow fig that is sweet, firm and can thrive in tropical climates. Current conventional propagation methods for the multiplication of plant stocks were found to be less efficient in producing healthy plant stocks. Micropropagation offers an alternative in the production of plant stocks resembling the quality of mother plants. The current study aims to fine tune the micropropagation protocol of the Golden Orphan cultivar for efficient production of plant stocks. Sterile nodal bud explants were subjected to different media treatments, carbon source and combinations of auxin and cytokinin. Rooting of explants was induced in auxin and rooted explants were acclimatized in cocopeat. The optimal basal medium for shoot elongation was Murashige and Skoog (MS) Medium, whereas 20 g/L sucrose resulted in the highest shoot length (2.00 ± 0.22 cm) facilitating the production of nodal segments for subsequent multiplication. The highest shoot induction (4.15 ± 0.43 shoots/explant) was observed in the treatment of 0.8 mg/L 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP), whereas the combination of 0.8 mg/L BAP and 0.5 mg/L indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) resulted in the highest shoot length (2.23 ± 0.09 cm). Treatment of 0.4 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) produced the optimal percentage of rooting (83.33%) whereas acclimatization with cocopeat resulted in maximum survival rate. The present study has successfully optimised the crucial aspects of micropropagation for the Golden Orphan cultivar suitable for rapid plant stock production.