Production of Virus Free Seeds using Meristem Culture in Tomato Plant under Tropical Conditions

Protocol was established for production of virus free healthy seeds using meristem ($0.3-0.5\;\cal{mm}$ in size) culture and field management under net house condition in tomato. The isolated meristem was found well established in MS liquid medium containing $0.1\;\cal{mg}\;1^{-1}\;of\;GA_3$. For shoot and root development either from primary meristem or from nodal segment of meristem derived plants, semisolid MS medium having $0.5\;\cal{mg}\;1^{-1}$ of IBA was found most effective. The elimination of the studied viruses (ToMV, CMV, ToLCV) in meristem-derived plants was confirmed by DAS-ELISA test. For field management of the virus eradicated meristem-derived plants, use of net house was found very effective measures to check viral vector visit and eventually infection. The meristem-derived plants were vigor and high yielder than the native seed derived plants and produced healthy seeds. Due to stop vector visit, no viral symptoms were observed in both $R_1\;and\;R_2$ plants cultivated in net house condition. Starting of viral infestation was observed in $R_2$ generation when they were planted in open house condition without control of vector visit. Therefore, for management of viral diseases, use of virus free meristem derived plantlets and their subsequent cultivation in soil under net house condition without using any vector killing insecticide can be recommended for producing healthy seeds in tomato. The developed protocol for environmentally healthy tomato seed production in Bangladesh may be used in the countries having similar tropical like environment conducive for viral vector visit.