Micropropagation of apple (Malus domestica L. cultivar Douce de Djerba) through in vitro culture of axillary buds

Abstract

A high frequency of sprouting (85.0%) and shoot differentiation is observed in the primary cultures of nodal explants of Malus domestica L. cultivar Douce de Djerba on MS medium supplemented with BAP (1.0 mg.L−1) plus IBA (0.1 mg.L−1). In vitro proliferated shoots are multiplied rapidly by culture of shoot tips on MS medium with BAP (1.0 and 2.0 mg.L−1) which produce the greatest multiple shoot formation. The BAP has a positive effect on the multiplication and growth, but a concentration that exceeds 4.0 mg.L−1 decreases the growth. A high frequency of rooting (66.7%) with development of healthy roots is observed from shoots cultured on half strength MS medium enriched with IBA (3.0 mg.L−1) and 2.0 g.L−1 of activated charcoal. Plants with well developed roots were transferred to soil with a survival frequency of 60%. © 2010, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.