Published Paper Details:

Citrus indica, an endangered citrus species native to north-eastern India, holds significant genetic and medicinal value, making it a vital resource for citrus breeding programs and conservation efforts. Traditional cultivation methods face challenges such as low seed viability, disease susceptibility, and habitat destruction. Micropropagation offers a promising solution for the large-scale production of disease-free and genetically uniform plants, enhancing cultivation and conservation practices for C. indica. This review explores the various micropropagation techniques employed for C. indica, including explant selection, culture media composition, and optimal environmental conditions. The stages of micropropagation, from initiation to acclimatization, are detailed, highlighting their critical role in successful plantlet establishment. Additionally, the advantages of micropropagation, such as mass production, disease-free plants, and genetic uniformity, are discussed alongside the limitations, including high initial costs, technical expertise requirements, contamination risks, and somaclonal variation. Future challenges and prospects, such as protocol optimization, genetic fidelity assessment, cryopreservation, genetic transformation, and collaborative efforts, are addressed to underline the need for continued research and innovation. By overcoming these challenges, micropropagation can significantly enhance the cultivation practices of C. indica and contribute to the conservation of this valuable species.