In vitro propagation of blue honeysuckle

Abstract

We have developed a rapid shoot multiplication procedure for in vitro propagation of blue honeysuckle (Lonicera kamtschatica [Sevast.] Pojark). Shoot tips of two genotypes 20/1 and Altaj were successfully established in vitro and micropropagated on the Murashige and Skoog (MS) based media containing different concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). Multiplication rates varied depending on the genotype and concentration of BAP. The highest multiplication rate was obtained for the genotype 20/1 that produced 10.5 ± 0.7 shoots (longer than 10 mm) on the MS medium containing 2 mg/l BAP. The lowest multiplication rate was obtained for Altaj producing only 1.6 ± 0.1 shoots on MS medium containing 4 mg/l BAP. Moreover, in vitro rooting on the modified MS medium supplemented with 2.5 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) was reported. Rooted shoots were transferred to the greenhouse for further evaluation.