Abstract
Application of growth stimulators can be especially effective on plantlets in vitro of tree species which are usually worse rooted and adapted in comparison with annual plants. In our work we evaluate effects of natural (dihydroquercetin, Zircon) and synthetic growth stimulators (Melafen, Fumar, Epin-Extra) on rooting and acclimatization of common ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) microplants. The 0.05% - 0.2% Zircon and 10-5% Melafen enhanced in vitro rooting by 29% - 37% and 31%, respectively. Melafen also stimulated root formation faster compared to control plants. The dihydroquercetin concentration of 0.01% increased rooting by 24% and root number per shoot by 1.8 times. In vitro plants rooted on media supplemented with Melafen, Fumar and Zircon demonstrated enhanced ability to adapt to non-sterile conditions and accelerated growth. Two months after planting to the greenhouse, plants rooted on 0.01% dihydroquercetin were 45% taller than the control. Weekly spraying of plantlets with 0.02% Epin-Extra containing 24-epibrassinolid stimulated growth of uniform plants with large leaves. The obtained results support the use of growth stimulators for application in clonal micropropagation of common ash both for large-scale production of planting stock and for conservation of rare and valuable genotypes.
Highlights
The majority of forest trees are propagated by seeds and their progeny is genetically variable
The natural plant growth stimulator Zircon derived from Echinacea purpurea and contained 0.1 g/l hydroxycinnamic acids
We show here that the plant growth stimulators, both of natural and synthetic origin have a positive impact on common ash microplants in the most critical stages of clonal micropropagation—rooting and acclimatization
Summary
The majority of forest trees are propagated by seeds and their progeny is genetically variable. Clonal micropropagation using tissue culture offers an attractive alternative to traditional methods of propagation of forest trees. This technology provides the possibility for high multiplication of selected superior trees and to produce genetically uniform plant material irespective of the season and weather. Clonal micropropagation is widely used for conservation of hardwood tree species, which are rare or threatened by exotic insects and diseases [2] Current studies in this field are aimed at reducing time and cost of growing in vitro plants by reducing the steps of developmental pathways and decreasing the loss of plants during acclimatization [3]. To increase plant survival after transfer to soil, different strategies were utilized: photoautotrophic culture [6], plant
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