Micropropagation of the strawberry tree, Arbutus unedo L

Abstract

Actively growing shoots of potted greenhouse-grown strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) were initially sterilised and established in basal woody plant medium containing 11.1 muM BA. Optimum shoot proliferation was achieved on a basal WPM containing MS vitamins, sucrose, agar and 22.2 muM BA. Microshoots rooted successfully in basal in vitro medium containing 10 muM IBA or IAA, but their survival rate during acclimatisation was low. Addition of a mixture 1 part peat:4 parts perlite in the basal in vitro rooting medium (1: 1 v/v) containing 10 muM IAA resulted in high rooting percentage and plantlets with branched roots. These plantlets were successfully acclimatised. This novel rooting medium can be exploited further due to its potential in commercial applications. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.