In vitro surface sterilization of the shoot tips of Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd

In vitro studies were carried out to investigate the effects of different sterilants for the surface sterilization of the shoot tips of Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd. Three sterilints i.e. HgCl^sub 2^, NaOCl, CaOCl^sub 2^ were selected to test their surface sterilization ability of the of Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd. The sterilants were for observing their surface sterilization potential in different concentrations and duration. Silver Chloride, HgCl^sub 2^ (0.05%) for 3 minutes was found as the most effective sterilant with maximum survival percentage of 91.6% followed by HgCl2 (0.05%) for 5 minutes with 75% survival. The minimum survival (8.33%) was observed with 4% Calcium hypochlorite for 5 minutes.