Banerjee, MadhuparnaRANI, NEHA2022-05-062022-05-062019https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810184367Optimization of protocol for in vitro regeneration in Hylocereus polyrhyzus (Weber) Britton and rose (Dragon fruit)Dragon fruit is also known as pitaya or the strawberry pear, and is a beautiful tropical fruit that is sweet and crunchy in taste. Dragon fruit is actually a type of cactus which includes about 20 different species. Hylocereus polyrhyzus is one of the species in which the fruit is red fleshed. This plant is mainly popular in Southeast Asia and Latin America, however, dragon fruit is now grown and enjoyed all over the world. Dragon fruit was named after its appearance which is somewhat similar to an artichoke. The pointy scales around the oval shaped fruit is reminiscent of a dragon. The fruit comes in four varieties three are pink-skinned, one with white flesh, one with red flesh, and the third with purple flesh. The fourth variety has yellow skin with white flesh. All have tiny black seeds that are edible, just like kiwifruit. It is also rich with potassium, protein, fiber, Sodium and Calcium which is good for health than other fruit. Dragon fruit is usually propagated by seeds or cuttings. The in vitro culture is one of the best techniques for mass propagation and crop improvement to increase productivity leading to full supply of the demand. In the present work, an efficient in vitro method for plantlet regeneration explants of H. polyrhyzus (Variety- Red Singhal) was developed. The best survival percentage during surface sterilization of H. polyrhyzus (Variety- Red Singhal) explants were achieved by treating explant with 0.05% of HgCl2 for 20 minutes. Shoot multiplication was induced on MS media supplemented with 3.0 mg/l of BAP, 100 mg/l AdSO4 and 100 mg/l ascorbic acid. Highest number of shoots per explant (7 shoots) was observed after 45 days of inoculation in the same media.EnglishThesis