In vitro preservation of Asparagus officinalis

Abstract

A simple systems for in vitro storage of health asparagus germplasm was developed. High percent (90%) of shoots cultured in a standard multiplication medium were maintained viable in vitro at 5 °C in darkness for 12 months. This percent was decreased to 60% when cultures were stored for 18 months. At normal temperature, shoots and callus cultures also survived for 1 year under osmotic stress on medium containing 40 g dm-3 mannitol.