Micropropagation of Antelope Bitterbrush [Purshia tridentata (Pursh) DC.]

Abstract

In vitro—derived microshoots of antelope bitterbrush, incubated for 1 month in media supplemented with 0.44 μm BA, grew 0.8 and 1.1 cm longer in woody plant medium (WPM) compared to full-strength and half-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) media, respectively. Explants cultured in WPM supplemented with 0.44 μm BA and 0.54 μm NAA produced a mean of five axillary shoots per explant. Explants dipped in 0.1% IBA or 0.1% NAA rooted best in 0.1% IBA with 89% success ex vitro vs. 60% success in vitro. Survival of acclimatized plantlets rooted ex vitro was 95%, while 50% survived when rooted in vitro. After 1 year of greenhouse growth, 98% of plantlets survived and flowered. Chemical names used: benzyladenine (BA), 3-indolebutyric acid (IBA), 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA).