In Vitro Shoot-apex Grafting of Mulberry (Morus alba L.)

Abstract

A protocol to achieve in vitro shoot apex grafting of Morus alba is described. Decoated seeds were incubated at 26C on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium in 0.2% Gelrite for 10 days in darkness and 2 weeks with a 16-hour daily photoperiod. The shoots were excised from seedlings, and the shoot bases were soaked in 500 μm IBA for 30 min. The shoots were transferred to a vermiculite support medium moistened with half-strength MS salts and were incubated at 26C in darkness for 10 to 12 days. Seedling stems, now ≈8 mm in circumference, were used as rootstocks. Shoot apex scions 1 to 2 mm long were taken from adult plants of several major commercial cultivars of M. alba. The average successful frequency of in vitro shoot-apex grafts was 75% to 80%, indicating that thickening the circumference of rootstock stems was a critical factor. Chemical name used: indole-3-butyric acid (IBA).