THAKUR, MANISHASHARMA, KANIKA2018-12-182018-12-182018-09http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810086030ABSTRACT In the present investigations, a technique for cost effective in vitro propagation of Gisela-5 (Prunus cerasus x Prunus canescens)- cherry rootstock has been developed. It was observed that table sugar at 40 g/l, was next best carbon source after sucrose and corn starch at 40 g/l, isabgol at 20 g/l and tapioca seeds at 100 g/l were found to be the best among the different gelling agents tried. Combination of sucrose + corn starch and table sugar + corn starch with multiplication rate of 1:5 with average shoot length of 2.30 cm, and proved to be superior to the nutrient medium containing sucrose + agar (control). Subculturing on the respective medium gave similar results of multiplication rate and average shoot length. Best rooting of 100 per cent was observed in one step procedure on half strength MS liquid control, solid control and medium with sucrose + corn starch (LCR1) whereas, in two step procedure of rooting, maximum rooting (100%) was observed after 48 hours of dark incubation in half strength MS broth fortified with 0.5 mg/l IBA followed by transfer to half strength MS basal control. Rooted plantlets were transplanted in sterilized potting mixtures for hardening and kept in the glasshouse. 60 per cent survival was observed after 4 weeks of transfer in cocopeat when sprayed with 3 % jeevamrut at regular intervals of 7 days. When the soil was drenched with 20 ml of jeevamrut (3 %), 60 % survival rate was observed after 4 weeks of transfer. Relative cost of components was analyzed and it was found that there was a significant cost difference between the control medium and low cost medium. When per plantlet cost was evaluated, control medium was found to be the most expensive resulting in cost of Rs. 2.16 per plantlet and the cheapest medium was the one containing corn starch and sucrose yielding the cost of Rs. 0.82 per plantlet whereas, the medium containing table sugar and corn starch yielded the per plantlet cost of Rs. 0.84. This proves that corn starch could be used as best low cost gelling agent as an alternate to agar and table sugar could be used as an cheaper alternate to the expensive sucrose.ennullThesis