Optimization of explants surface sterilization condition for field grown peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch. Cv. Garnem) intended for in vitro culture

The aim of this work was to sterilize nodal explants, so as to mitigate microbial contamination in peach micropropagation. The nodal explants were treated with three concentrations levels (0.15, 0.25 and 0.5% (w/v) active ingredient of chlorine) of locally produced bleach, sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) for varying exposure times (10, 15 and 20 min). These treatments were carried out in randomized complete design with three replications. Data were recorded on the number of contaminated, dead and survived (clean) cultures after 10 days of culturing. The highest explant contamination (100%) and least explant survival (0%) were recorded when explants were treated with 0.15% active chlorinated local bleach for 10 min. The least culture contamination and minimum tissue death of 9.51 and 4.75%, respectively, and the highest culture survival (85.71%) were recorded when explants were disinfected with 0.25% active chlorinated local bleach for 15 min.   Key words: Explants, local bleach, micropropagation, Prunus persica, surface sterilization.