High multiplication frequency and genetic stability for commercialization of the three varieties of micropropagated tea plants (Camellia spp.)

RAPD and microsatellite markers were used to determine the genetic fidelity of micropropagated plants from the three varieties of tea plant derived from explants of field grown mother bush as well as in vitro germinated seedlings. Rate of shoot multiplication was better from nodal explants than from shoot tips. A maximum of 32–33 shoots was observed in cotyledonary node in 1/2 MS medium with BAP (6 mg/l), GA₃ (1 mg/l) and IBA (0.5 mg/l). 90% of the in vitro derived microshoots were micrografted into rootstocks. The micropropagated plantlets showed both cytological and genetical stability. SSR primers showed complete stability among the regenerants. The results convinced that plants derived from axillary as well as adventitious mode of propagation can be genetically true to type. This cost effective technique would help in fast clonal propagation at a commercial scale.