In vitro propagation of some old Persian cypress accessions (Cupressus sempervirens L.) by embryo culture

Abstract

In order to study in vitro propagation of some old Persian cypress genotypes (Cupressus sempervirens L.), embryos of twenty old cypress accessions were cultured on MS and SH media containing 100 and 200 mg L-1 myo-inositol. Germination percentage and growth parameters of produced plantlets and their hardening off were evaluated. Results showed that the highest germination percentage and germination rate was obtained with MS medium containing 100 mg L-1 myo-inositol, although no significant difference was observed with MS containing 200 mg L-1 myo-inositol and SH containing 100 mg L-1 myo-inositol. Furthermore, based on the results, the highest root length was gained with SH medium containing 200 mg L-1 myo-inositol. Germination percentage of isolated embryos and shoot length of produced plantlets were affected by genotype, so that the highest germination percentage and shoot length was obtained with KB and KT genotypes, respectively. The oldest genotype which was 4000 years old (Abarkuh cypress) showed no significant difference with other genotypes in terms of shoot and root length. In hardening-off step, first all genotypes were initially established but after 2 weeks, KJ2, KK, KSHN, KD1, KB genotypes died.

In Vitro Propagation, Genetic Assessment, and Medium-Term Conservation of the Coastal Endangered Species Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Masters (Cupressaceae) from Adult Trees

“…Micropropagation of tree species is generally recommended by using explants from juvenile organs such as immature embryos or young seedlings [18]. This is particularly important in conifers [19,20] due to the cloning difficulties that they present in comparison to the angiosperms [21]. In spite of these limitations, the use of adult-tree explants for the micropropagation of conifers is also reported [22,23], sometimes after a series of grafting treatments prior to initiation of in vitro cultures [24], because the use of aged donor plants is related to a faster obtaining of mature plantlets with economical value [25].…”