A new medium formulation for in vitro rooting of carob tree based on leaf macronutrients concentrations

Gonçalves, S.; Correia, P. J.; Martins-Loução, M. A.; Romano, A.

http://hdl.handle.net/10451/4260

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Authors

Gonçalves, S.

Correia, P. J.

Martins-Loução, M. A.

Romano, A.

Abstract(s)

Experiments were performed to optimize the macronutrients concentrations for in vitro rooting of Ceratonia siliqua micropropagated shoots. Several dilutions of Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium were tested: full-strength MS, halfstrength MS (½MS), and ½MS + full N. The frequency of in vitro rooting was enhanced when the ½MS was used (50 % rooted shoots). Mature leaves from 20 - 30 year-old carob trees and from 2 year-old micropropagated plants were collected and the concentrations of macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) assessed. Based on the mineral composition of the leaves a new medium was formulated and compared with the previous ones showing an increment of the rooting frequency to 80 %. Moreover, shoots rooted in the new medium did not show symptoms of apical necrosis that occurred in the other tested media.