In vitro culture of nodal cuttings in kiwifruit

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effects of plant growth regulators and different medium on in vitro propagation of ˈHaywardˈ and ˈZespri Goldˈ kiwifruits. Micro-cuttings were used as explant sources and cultured in MS and WPM medium containing different concentrations of BA and GA3. Subcultures were carried out at intervals of 4-6 weeks. Contamination rate (%), blackening rate (%), callus development rate (%), shoot rate (%), and propagation coefficient (plantlet/explant) were determined. The micropropagation experiment was carried out according to the randomized plot design. The arc-sin transformation was applied to the percentage values before analysis. Significance levels of the means were compared with the LSD test. It was determined that 0.1% mercury chloride application increased the sterilization efficiency. As the BA concentration in the medium increased, the rate of callus formation of the explants increased. While there was no difference in shoot rates of explants cultured on MS and WPM medium, the propagation rate was higher in MS medium. The propagation coefficient of the ˈHaywardˈ kiwi cultivar was 3.08 in MS medium containing 1.0 mgL-1 BA + 0.5 mgL-1 GA3. MS medium can be recommended as a basic medium for in vitro kiwif propagation.