Standardization of sterilization protocol of explants for micropropagation in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) male sterile line Shalimar FMS-1

Surface sterilization is a vital step in preparation of explants for tissue culture as plants in the field are highly exposed to microbial contamination An improved method for sterilization of explants of tomato male sterile line Shalimar FMS-1 was standardized for in vitro micropropagation. Among twenty one sterilization treatments sodium hypochlorite @ 1% for 45 seconds proved to be most efficient as it resulted in highest survival, minimum mortality and minimum contamination of explants.