Tissue culture propagation of Mongolian cherry (Prunus fruticosa) and Nanking cherry (Prunus tomentosa)

Abstract

In vitro culture establishment, shoot proliferation and ex vitro rooting responses of Mongolian cherry (Prunus fruticosa L.), and Nanking cherry (Prunus tomentosa L.), were examined using various combinations of growth regulators. Dormant buds, taken during winter months, were used as explants. In both species, Murashige and Skoog Minimal Organic (MSMO) solid medium supplemented with 0.49 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and either 4.44 or 8.88 μM 6-benzylaminopurine (BA), was the best for culture initiation, and with 8.88–15.16 μM BA for shoot proliferation. Good rooting responses were also obtained with shoots produced on media containing 0.91 μM thidiazuron (TDZ). Auxin treatments were required for ex vitro rooting of approximately 20 mm long shoots in peat/perlite (1:1 v/v) mixture, at 25 °C, under mist. The best rooting (79%) was obtained with IBA/NAA (naphthaleneacetic acid) (9.80/2.69 μM) combination. A commercial rooting powder, Rootone F, containing IBA/NAA (0.057/0.067%), was also effective (73%). The ex vitro rooted plantlets did not require any additional acclimatization prior to transplanting to the regular greenhouse conditions.