In vitro micropropagation, medium- and long-term conservation of the Egyptian husk tomato (Physalis pubescens L.)

•An efficient micropropagation protocol for egyptian husk tomato was established.•The shoot tips were preserved for 9 months with a high survival percentage 86.67%.•The germination percentage 96% were recorded for seeds preserved in liquid nitrogen.•This is the first micropropagation and preservation report for this valuable plant. The present study was conducted to establish an efficient protocol for micropropagation, and medium- and long-term conservation of the Egyptian husk tomato (Physalis pubescens L.). Thus, for micropropagation, the explants with 1–2 nodes were cultured on MS medium with 9 combinations of BAP at (0, 0.25, 0.50 mg/l) and NAA at (0, 0.125, 0.25 mg/l). The results showed that the medium containing 0.5 mg/l BAP produced the highest average number of shoots/explant, rooting percentage, and root number/plantlet. Regarding the conservation of husk tomato for medium-term through slow growth, the shoot tip explants were cultured on half-strength MS media supplemented with different concentrations (0, 10, 30, and 50 g/l) of sugars (sucrose, sorbitol, or glucose) for various periods (3, 6, and 9 months) in an incubator under full darkness at 15 °C. The results indicated that the highest survival percentage of shoot tips after 9 months (86.67 %) was recorded using sucrose at 10, 30, or 50 g/l and sorbitol at 10 g/l. In addition, for long-term conservation of husk tomato seeds with liquid nitrogen, surface sterilized seeds were desiccated by air in the laminar airflow hood for different times (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min.) and then placed in a 2 ml cryotube and immersed in liquid nitrogen for one hour. The results of the highest germination percentage of seeds (96 %) were recorded for the treatment (120 min.) of desiccation. Finally, an efficient protocol for in vitro micropropagation and preservation of the Egyptian husk tomato for medium- and long-term was established. The summary of the results of micropropagation, medium- and long-term conservation of the Egyptian husk tomato. The micropropagation on MS medium + 0.5 mg/l BAP. The highest survival percentage of shoot tips after 9 months (86.67 %) using sucrose (10, 30 or 50 g/l) and sorbitol (10 g/l). The results of long-term conservation showed that the highest germination percentage was recorded for the treatment (120 min.) of desiccation. [Display omitted]