Direct rooting of micropropagated M26 apple rootstocks - Simmonds, J. (Elsevier)
In vitro root development of micropropagated M26 apple rootstocks was promoted on low-nutrient Murashige and Skoog (MS)-type media. The most prolific rooting was obtained by lowering the sucrose concentration to 1% and the macronutrients to a quarter strength in the rooting medium, but this increased root development did not improve plant establishment. Although in vitro rooting on standard MS rooting medium increased during the 6-week culture period, highest plant establishment was obtained from 3-week cultures with relatively little root development at the time of planting. Therefore, these procedures which enhanced in vitro rooting were of no advantage in a propagation program. Greater than 80% plant establishment was obtained by substituting the in vitro rooting stage with rooting in mist. Shoot explants, which were dipped in commercial rooting powder, were established in a peat:sand (1:1) sub-strate in the mist frame. This procedure would reduce labour and cost of commercial micropropagation programs.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0304-4238(83)90096-1
Keywords: ZA-ZE