Tissue culture studies were done in Annona squamosa—a plant of commercial importance—using nodal explants taken from matured plants. The number of shoots obtained from nodal explants was approximately 6-8 when cultured on MS medium containing BAP (2.5 mg/L). MS media supplemented with BAP showed favorable response in nodal explants. Multiple shoots formed after 2-3 weeks were separated and subcultured in the fresh medium of the same composition. Regenerated shoots were rooted on MS medium supplemented with IBA (0.1 mg/L). IBA was found to be more effective in root induction. The rooted plants were transferred to pots containing soil, cocopeat, and sand for hardening. The true-to-type plantlets of Annona squamosa were obtained within a short period of culture establishment. The present protocol is rapid, reproducible and less cumbersome over the conventional methods.

Advances in plant biotechnology research in the last decade has opened new vistas in the propagation of plants with improved resistance to diseases, pests, herbicides, etc. Micropropagation of fruit trees is an invaluable aid in the production of elite, disease-free, breeding true-to-type in large numbers in short duration. Annona squamosa (custard apple), popularly known as sithaphal, is a semi wild fruit virtue of spontaneous spread in forests and waste lands and belongs to the family Annonaceae. More than 50 species of shrubs and trees bearing aggregate fleshy fruits belong to this genus, but only 6 species produce fruits of some commercial significance. In the recent years, custard apple has gained importance as a highly paying orchard crop, particularly in arid and semiarid areas of the country. It grows successfully in varying soil conditions from heavy soil to almost sand. They do well also on rocky soil in many countries. Thus, rocky, sandy, marginal and wastelands may be utilized for growing these trees. It is the most widely cultivated species in India and probably in the tropics of the world. It is popularly known as custard apple, sugar apple, sweet sop or Ate, and in the northern India as sharifa and in the southern part as sitaphal. Annonas are cultivated in various countries such as Australia, Brazil, Burma, Chile, Egypt, Mexico, Spain, Philippines, Srilanka, South Africa, USA and West Indies.

Nodal explants, Annona squamosa, Multiple shoots, BAP, Kinetin, IBA