Ozone as an Alternative for Disinfection of Explants during In Vitro Mass Plant Propagation

Abstract

Ozone was used as an alternative for replacing sodium hypochlorite in the disinfection of yam nodal segments during the establishment stage for in vitro mass plant propagation. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of ozone on disinfection of yam nodal segments in gaseous and aqueous phase in comparison to sodium hypochlorite. The immersion of yam nodal segments in water containing dissolved ozone with an ozone concentration of 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 ppm during for 5 to 10 min gave the best results; 100% of yam nodal segments were free of microbial contamination. In terms of sprouting initiation (7.5 days), sprouting percentage (88%), and sprouts growth (4.81 cm), all were improved in comparison to the conventionally used sodium hypochlorite.

Keywords:

• Ozone
• Plant
• Dioscorea
• In Vitro Propagation
• Microorganisms
• Nodal Segment