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The propagation of plant is an age old practice of humankind since time immoral. Human society could not continue to live without the availability of food, medicine, fibre and amenities provided by the plants, most of which needs man’s surveillance for their existence. Plants selection, multiplication and breeding are most useful to promote man’s well-being. Plants propagation multiplies these plants and preserve their essential genetic characteristic’s (Hartmann et al., 2002). The history of selection and improvement of many floricultural crops contrast with that for plant species, with the shift from exploitation to domestication is much more for commercial plantation, including the use of bulk propagation. Micropropagation and organogenesis are the tissue culture techniques that allows for in vitro regeneration of floricultural crops. Plantlets from a large number of other of horticultural crops have been successfully propagated via organogenesis using various explants (Saborio et al., 2001).

The main advantages of in vitro culture are the ability to multiply plants in large quantities and to make improved or selected specimens available for the use in a shorter time than by any other convention means. Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) is an Asteraceous plant of industrial and medicinal importance. This herbaceous plant is native to Mexico, where it is used in traditional medicine and for ornamental purposes. It has been reported that this plant contains bioactive compounds that exhibit nematicidal, fungicidal and insecticidal activity (Vasudevan et al., 1997). The flowers are utilized as a source of pigments for food colouring in the industry, mainly of poultry skin and eggs (Delgado– Vargas et al., 2000). The wide range of uses of this plant underlines the importance of establishing a reliable plant regeneration system for further genetic manipulation.
            Marigold has erect stem that can reach 6 to 48 inches in height (depending on the variety). Marigold has oblong and lanceolate leaves with whole margins. Some varieties of marigold have leaves with toothed edges. Leaves are spirally arranged on the branches.
            Propagation of Tagetes erecta is by seed. Under good conditions about 400 g/ha is required. Germination is within two weeks and usually seedlings are first transplanted into pots before being planted in single or double rows in the field at about 20 cm × 90 cm. Tagetes erecta is sometimes intercropped or grown in rotation with commercial crops to reduce diseases and nematode populations.
            Marigold requires mild climate for luxuriant growth and flowering. The optimum temperature range for its profuse growth is 18-20°C. Temperatures above 35°C restrict the growth of the plants, which leads to reduction in flower size and number. In severe winter, plants and flowers are damaged by frost. Marigold can be grown in a wide range of soils, as it is adapted in different soil types. French (Dwarf) marigolds are best cultivated in light soil whereas rich well drained, moist soils are best suited for African (Tall) Marigolds.
            Sandy loam soil with pH 5.6 to 6.5 is ideal for its cultivation. Commercially this species is propagated. Conventionally this species is propagated either by means of seeds or by vegetative means.
            Due to low seed viability and poor germination it is difficult to fulfil its increasing demand, the multiplicity of uses for Tagetes emphasizes its growing importance and demand for improved seeds to satisfy the market’s needs. Nevertheless, this demand cannot be fulfilled by growers, given the low viability of seeds and their poor germination rates, which decreases as the seed ages. So tissue culture was selected as an alternative for large scale commercial propagation of this plant. Tissue culture is advantageous in producing multiple copies of a plant species within minimum time and space and callus culture is the primary mean for the indirect organogenesis. Callus or cell suspension culture also could be used for large scale plant cell culture where the bioactive compounds could be extracted. Various in vitro propagation studies have been carried out on Tagetes erecta, but research is still limited on this valuable ornamental horticultural crop.
            Hence there is an urgent need to develop alternative propagation techniques to enhance the reproduction of the quality planting materials of this species few work have been reported in vitro multiplication of  this species using explants. Therefore, keeping the above facts, the present study was undertaken on surface sterilization of nodal explant of Tagetes erecta L.cv. Inca Yellow hybrid and Orange hybrid on aseptic in vitro Propagation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present investigation was undertaken during the year 2016-2017 in the Laboratory of Biotechnology-cum-Tissue Culture Centre, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar. The explants were collected from the nursery of Biotechnology-Cum-Tissue Culture Centre, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar. The nodal segment of the plant were cut in to 2 to 3 cm size and inoculated after sterilization as per the treatments. The formulation of MS medium (Murashige & Skoog, 1962) was used as a basal medium for the entire experiment. For preparation of culture medium required quantities of macronutrients, micronutrients, Fe-EDTA, vitamins and growth regulators were taken from the stock solution and mixed in distilled water. Required quantities of sucrose dissolved in water was also added fresh to the solution prepared. The pH of the solution was adjusted to 5.7± 0.1 using 0.1 N NaOH or 0.1 N HCL. Then the final volume was made up to one litre with distilled water. After the volume was made up, the acquired quantity of agar was added and boiled in beaker till it got dissolved and looked transparent. The hot medium was distributed to sterilized culture bottles. The bottles with culture medium were autoclaved at 121℃ and 15 psi pressure for 20 minutes. The autoclaved medium was kept in a laminar airflow bench for cooling. The working chamber of laminar air flow cabinet was wiped with isopropanol. Filtered air (80-100 cft/min) to ensure that particles do not settle in working area was blown for 5 Min. The sterilized materials to be used (except living tissue) were kept made the chamber and exposed to UV light for 30 minutes. The sterilized explants were inoculated in culture tubes containing the media as per the treatments. Cut ends of explants was be kept in such a way so as to have maximum contact with the medium. All the aseptic manipulations such as surface disinfection of explants, preparation and inoculation of explants and subsequent culturing were carried out in the laminar air flow cabinet. The working table of laminar airflow cabinet and spirit lamp was sterilized by swabbing with absolute alcohol. All the required materials like media, spirit lamp, matchbox, glassware etc., were transferred on to the clean laminar airflow. The UV light will switch on for half an hour to achieve aseptic environment inside the cabinet. The following observations were recorded after 30 days after inoculation (DAI) for surface sterilization and time i.e. Percentage of contamination (Fungal and Bacterial), percentage of explant death and percentage of aseptic culture. The raw data obtained during the experimental observations were subjected to completely randomized design (Gomez & Gomez, 1984). The significance and non-significance of the treatment effect were judged with the help of “F‟ variance ratio test. Calculated “F” value was compared with the table value of “F‟ at 5% level of significance. The data were transferred from where ever required before suitability of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) analyzed in statistical package SAS version 7.0.

RESULT AND DISCUSSIONS

The node explants treated with mercuric chloride, sodium hypochlorite, and 70% propanol for varying time in order to establish maximum contaminant free cultures, the results are presented in Table 1 and 2.
From the Table.1 it was revealed that the highest percentage (43.33%) of healthy and contaminant free explants were established when they were exposed to 0.1 % HgCl2 for 10 Min + 2 Min 1% NaOCl. This was followed by establishment of 33.33 % of the explants when treated with the 0.1% HgCl2 for 8 min + 2 Min 1% NaOCl. The maximum fungal contamination was recorded at T0 (86.67 %). This was followed by T1 (76.67%). Minimum fungal contamination was recorded at T12 and T13 (10.00 %). This was followed by T11 (13.33%). The maximum bacterial contamination was recorded at T10 (33.33%). This was followed by T4 and T5 (30.00%). Minimum bacterial contamination was recorded at T13 (6.66%). This was followed by T11 (10.00%). The maximum death was recorded at T13 (83.33%). This was followed by T12 (76.67%). Minimum death was recorded at T0, T1, T6 and T10 (0.00%). This was followed by T2 and T3 (3.33%).
From the Table.2 it was revealed that the highest percentage (40.00%) of healthy and contaminant free explants were established when they were exposed to 0.1 % HgCl2 for 10 Min + 2 Min 1% NaOCl. This was followed by establishment of 26.67 % of the explants when treated with the 0.1% HgCl2 for 8 min and 10 min. The maximum fungal contamination was recorded at T0 (76.67 %). This was followed by T4 (60.00%). Minimum fungal contamination was recorded at T10 (30.00 %). This was followed by T13 (33.33%). The maximum bacterial contamination was recorded at T3 (46.67%). This was followed by T2, T9 and T13 (36.67%). Minimum bacterial contamination was recorded at T11 (20.00%). This was followed by T10 (30.00%). The maximum death was recorded at T13 (26.67%). This was followed by T12 (20.00%). Minimum death was recorded at T0, T2, T4, T5, T6, T9 and T10 (0.00%). This was followed by T1 and T7 (3.33%). The results are in alignment with the findings of Gochhayat et al. (2017) in Lilium; Rout and Khare, (2018) in Saraca asoca (Roxb) De Wilde.

Aseptic culture establishment is first and foremost step for the successful development of micro-propagation protocol on a commercial scale. This results might be due to the toxic effect of chemicals under prolonged duration of treatment (Table.1). All pre-treatments gave significantly better response compared to control, where 100.00 percent contamination was noted. Microbes such as bacteria and fungi were responsible for culture contamination and can completely spoil the cultures. Among the different pre-treatments, highest explant toxicity (83.33%) was recorded with 70% Propanol for 15 min treatment duration (Table 1). These findings are in close confirmation with earlier results reported by Lal et al. (2008) in grape, Verma et al. (2012) in chrysanthemum and Sen et al. (2014) in Achyranthes aspera L.

Table 1: Effect of surface sterilization of node explant of Tagetes erecta L.cv. Inca Yellow hybrid on contamination and aseptic culture

Media: MS Basal                                                                    30 Days

Treatment	Treatments Details	Fungal %	Bacterial %	Death %	Aseptic %
T0	Direct tap water	86.67 (68.53)	13.33 (21.39)	0.00 (2.50)	0.00 (2.50)
T1	2 Min. in 0.1%  HgCl2	76.67 (61.14)	23.33 (28.86)	0.00 (2.50)	3.33 (10.47)
T2	4 Min. in 0.1%  HgCl2	66.67 (54.70)	23.33 (28.86)	3.33 (10.47)	6.67 (14.89)
T3	6 Min. in 0.1%  HgCl2	63.33 (52.71)	26.67 (31.05)	3.33 ( 10.47)	6.67 (14.89)
T4	8 Min. in 0.1%  HgCl2	53.33 (46.89)	30.00 (33.21)	6.67 (14.89)	10.00 (18.44)
T5	10 Min. in 0.1%  HgCl2	36.67 (37.23)	30.00 (33.21)	13.33 (21.39)	20.00 (26.56)
T6	2 Min. in 0.1%  HgCl2+2 min in 1% NaOCl	56.67 (48.79)	26.67 (31.05)	0.00 (2.50)	16.67 (24.04)
T7	4 Min. in 0.1%  HgCl2+2 Min in1%  NaOCl	36.67 (37.23)	26.33 (30.85)	13.33 (21.39)	23.33 (20.86)
T8	6 Min. in 0.1%  HgCl2+2 Min in 1%  NaOCl	33.33 (35.24)	23.33 (20.86)	16.67 (24.04)	26.67 (31.05)
T9	8 Min. in 0.1%  HgCl2+2 Min in 1% NaOCl	26.67 (31.05)	16.67 (24.04)	23.33 (20.86)	33.33 (35.24)
T10	10 Min. in 0.1% HgCl2+2 Min in1%  NaOCl	23.33 (28.86)	30.00 (33.21)	3.33 (10.47)	43.33 (41.15)
T11	5 Min. in 70% Propanol	13.33 (21.39)	10.00 (18.44)	66.67 (54.70)	10.00 (18.44)
T12	10  Min. in 70% Propanol	10.00 (18.44)	13.33 (21.39)	76.67 (61.14)	0.00 (2.50)
T13	15  Min. in 70% Propanol	10.00 (18.44)	6.66(14.89)	83.33 (65.88)	0.00 (2.50)
CD at 5%		14.75 (22.55)	13.50(21.56)	7.67 (16.00)	9.07 (17.46)
SEm±		5.32 (13.31)	4.87(12.66)	2.76 (9.46)	3.27 (10.31)

*Figure in pranenthesis are arcsine transformation values

Table 2: Effect of surface sterilization of node explant of Tagetes erecta L.cv. Inca Orange hybrid on contamination and aseptic culture
Media: MS Basal                                                                   30 Days

Treatment	Treatments Details	Fungal %	Bacterial %	Death %	Aseptic %
T0	Direct tap water	76.67 (61.07)	23.33 (28.86)	0.00 (2.50)	0.00 (2.50)
T1	2 Min. in 0.1%  HgCl2	53.33 (46.89)	36.67 (37.23)	3.33 (10.47)	6.67 (14.89)
T2	4 Min. in 0.1%  HgCl2	56.67 (48.79)	33.33 (35.24)	0.00 (2.50)	10.00 (18.44)
T3	6 Min. in 0.1%  HgCl2	36.67 (37.23)	46.67 (43.05)	3.33 (10.47)	13.33 (21.39)
T4	8 Min. in 0.1%  HgCl2	60.00 (50.77)	26.67 (31.05)	0.00 (2.50)	13.33 (21.39)
T5	10 Min. in 0.1%  HgCl2	46.67 (43.05)	26.67 (31.05)	0.00 (2.50)	26.67 (31.05)
T6	2 Min. in 0.1%  HgCl2+2 min in 1% NaOCl	46.67 (43.05)	26.67 (31.05)	0.00 (2.50)	26.67 (31.05)
T7	4 Min. in 0.1%  HgCl2+2 Min in1%  NaOCl	50.00 (45.00)	33.33 (35.24)	3.33 (10.47)	13.33 (21.39)
T8	6 Min. in 0.1%  HgCl2+2 Min in 1%  NaOCl	43.33 (41.15)	33.33 (35.24)	6.67 (14.89)	16.67 (24.04)
T9	8 Min. in 0.1%  HgCl2+2 Min in 1% NaOCl	43.33 (41.15)	36.67 (37.23)	0.00 (2.50)	20.00 (26.56)
T10	10 Min. in 0.1% HgCl2+2 Min in1%  NaOCl	30.00 (33.21)	30.00 (33.21)	0.00 (2.50)	40.00 (39.23)
T11	5 Min. in 70% Propanol	43.33 (41.15)	20.00 (26.56)	13.33 (21.39)	23.33 (28.86)
T12	10  Min. in 70% Propanol	36.67 (37.23)	36.33 (37.05)	20.00 (26.56)	6.67 (14.89)
T13	15  Min. in 70% Propanol	33.33 (35.24)	36.67 (37.23)	26.67 (31.05)	3.33 (710.47)
CD at 5%		22.49(28.25)	17.32(24.58)	7.27 (15.56)	12.83 (20.96)
SEm±		8.11 (16.54)	6.25 (14.42)	2.62(9.28)	4.63(12.39)

*Figure in pranenthesis are arcsine transformation values

CONCLUSION

From the present studies, it is concluded that by using the standardized sterilization protocols, ornamentally high valued marigold can be taken up for the production of true-to-type, disease free quality planting material in large scale. Explant treated with 0.1 % HgCl2 for 10 Min+ 1% NaOCl for 2 Min (T10) gave maximum aseptic in vitro culture of both varieties. This can also be helpful for long term maintenance of African marigold germplasm, valuable breeding lines and other biotechnological related works.

REFERENCES

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