Genetic Fidelity in Micropropagated Plantlets of Anacardium occidentale L. (Cashew) an Important Fruit Tree

The meristem and axillary bud tissue culture were considered to be an ideal horticultural tool to generate morphologically and genetically true to type plants. In tissue culture derived plants of Anacardium occidentale L (cashew) variations in morphological traits like height and girth of the stem, the shape of the leaves and plagiotrophy are seen in the plants generated from the same cotyledonary nodes. In our experiments the multiple shoots were induced from cotyledonary nodes without the addition of growth regulators, without an intervening callus and within one generation; yet they show considerable amount of variation in morphology. Since no growth regulators were used or frequent subcultures were made it is suggested that the variation is due to stress induced by tissue culture procedures.