Influence of sugars on in vitro rooting and acclimatization of carob tree

Abstract

Carob tree (Cerafoma siliqua L.) micropropagated shoots were rooted on half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium, supplemented with different types and concentrations of sugars, in order to determine the effects of sugar composition and concentration on in vitro rooting and in vivo establishment of the plantlets. Among the various sugars tested, the best rooting response was obtained with 145 mM sucrose, both in terms of rooting frequency and index of rooting. The use of filter-sterilized rather that autoclaved fructose increased root number and root length. Sugar treatment during rooting slightly influenced plantlet survival and growth during acclimatization. A reduction in the glucose concentration during rooting was beneficial for plantlet acclimatization.