Interspecific hybridization and mutagenic studies in papaya (Carica papaya L.)

Abstract

Interspecific hybridization was carried out using Carica papaya var. Surya as female parent and C. cauliflora as male parent. The study was aimed at creating variability and to fix LD 50 value for the variety Surya. The experiment was conducted in experimental plots of India Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore during 2001-2002. Maximum fruit set was recorded at 5 per cent among the different levels of sucrose concentrations used. Maximum percent response was obtained from embryos inoculated on both MS medium supplemented with IBA 5 mg1-1. MS basal medium was ideal for germination of embryos producing maximum shoot length, number of nodes, internodal length, root length and number of roots. Maximum percent germination was recorded in control followed 0.1 per cent EMS concentration. Maximum percent response was observed in control whereas maximum number of multiple shoots was recorded from the embryos inoculated onto 0.005% EMS treatment.