MICROPROPAGATION OF ARONIA ARBUTIFOLIA AND A. MELANOCARPA

Abstract

Increasing interest in landscape use of Aronia arbutifolia and A. melanocarpa has led to the establishment of breeding programs and selection of improved phenotypes within the genus. A rnicropropagation system was developed to facilitate rapid and easy multiplication of improved forms of Aronia. Actively growing shoot tips of A. arbutifolia `Brilliantissima' and A. melanocarpa were used to initiate shoot proliferation from axillary buds. Optimum proliferation of shoots useful for micropropagation occurred on media supplemented with 0.5 to 1.0 mg 1-1 benzyladenine. Both Murashige and Skoog medium and Woody Plant medium supported vigorous shoot proliferation, but differences in culture morphology were evident. In vitro rooting and non-sterile rooting methods both resulted in high rooting percentages, the formation of numerous roots and subsequent rapid growth of plantlets.