Recovery of in vitro cotton shoots through micrografting

An efficient and highly reproducible in vitro micrografting method was deve loped for microshoots of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum, L.). Culture of grafte d shoots in Murashige and Skoog's basal liquid medium devoid of growth regu lators showed maximum rate of survival (95%), elongation of scions, number of nodes per plant and higher fresh weight compared to agar solidified medi um, Rootstocks from in vitro grown decapitated etiolated seedlings were mar ginally better in survival percentage and growth parameters compared to lig ht grown seedlings. Ex vitro micrografting though successful had low surviv al of grafted shoots (30%), minimum scion elongation and number of nodes pe r plant. The results demonstrate the compatibility of heterologous graft-un ions (intervarietal or interspecies) in cotton. Grafted plants (70%) on tra nsfer to greenhouse and field conditions grew to maturity and set seeds.