1. Purpose of Rooting

Root induction prepares the plantlet to function independently. A successful root system allows for:

• Water/nutrient uptake

• Structural anchorage

• Transition from artificial media to soil

2. Auxins Used in Root Induction

Auxins are essential for rooting, but must be carefully dosed.

📌 Auxins in Root Formation

3. Rooting Media and Conditions

Cytokinins are excluded to avoid shoot proliferation or inhibition of rooting.

4. Ex Vitro Rooting

This optional method skips in vitro rooting altogether:

Steps:

• Dip base of shoot in auxin powder or solution

• Plant in moist, sterile substrate

• Cover with dome or plastic tent

• Mist regularly (or place in automated mist chamber)

Best for:

• Woody species

• Plants with slow in vitro rooting

• Cost-sensitive operations

5. Acclimatization Process

This is often the highest loss point in micropropagation due to:

• Sudden humidity drop

• Poor root adaptation

• Microbial contamination from soil

Best Practices:

• Use sterile soil mix (peat:vermiculite, coco coir, etc.)

• Keep RH >90% for first 5 days, then reduce gradually

• Provide filtered light, not direct sun

• Avoid fertilizer until plants stabilize

📌 Hardening of Micropropagated Plants