In vitro Propagation of Quercus castaneifolia

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Ph.D student, Department of Plant Pathology, College Agricalture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, I.R. Iran

2 M.Sc., Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Tehran, I.R. Iran

3 Prof., Department of Plant Pathology, College Agricalture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, I.R. Iran

4 Assoc. Prof., Department of Plant Pathology, College Agricalture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, I.R. Iran

5 Assis. Prof., Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Tehran, I.R. Iran

Abstract

Clonal reproduction of commercially important hardwood tree species, such as Quercus castaneifolia, is vital in a tree improvement program in order to provide improved planting stock for forestry. In vitro and conventional vegetative propagation methods will be required to produce clones of elite genotypes or genetically improved genotypes. Studies were carried out to produce a protocol for in vitro propagation of Q. castaneifolia using buds and nodal segments of shoot tips. The shoot tips and nodal explants excised from three different regions (mature oak trees of Guilan and Mazandaran provinces and juvenile trees of Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands) and placed on initiation media supplemented with growth hormones after  sterilization. The highest average multiplication factor was observed in the explants taken from juvenile plants of Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands. Half-strength Murasighe and Skoog as well as McCown's Woody Plant media supplemented with 0.3 mg/l cytokinine BAP and 0.01 mg/l IBA found optimum for the culture establishment. Established shoots were best multiplied in the same media supplemented with BAP (0.3 mg/l). The highest degree of root growth was achieved on 1/2 WPM media supplemented with auxins IBA (0.3 mg/l) alone or with NAA (0.1mg/l). The roots were formed in about 70% of the explants in 6-weeks.

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