IN VITRO PROPAGATION OF ZIZYPHUS SPINA-CHRISTI L.

‘Hozaien’, a mutation in Zizyphus spina-christi (Indian type jujube) was originated in the early 1950s in a private orchard, Assiut, Egypt.
Results of asexual propagation were inconstant and difficult in routinely vegetative propagation as stem cutting propagation.
Therefore, it was necessary to establish a tissue culture protocol for micropropagation of Zizyphus spina-christi. The effect of benzylaminopurin and medium type on plantlet vegetative and chemical aspects were investigated in addition to in vitro tolerance to drought and salt stresses.
BAP at 0.5 mg/L and MS medium were recommended to induce a high proliferation rate for mass production of such rare mutation meanwhile Nitsch and Nitsch medium produced better vegetative propagules.
Salinity treatments at 8, 12 and 16 g NaCl/L produced the same in vitro vegetative characteristics but at different degrees.
Plantlets grown on media containing NaCl were found to have higher values of macroelements (N, P and Fe) and lower values of microelements (Mn and Z). However, ‘Hozaien’ mutation would be considered tolerant to salinity at the levels used in this experiment.
Same results were found in response to drought treatments at 10% and 20% PEG.

I International Symposium on Biotechnology of Fruit Species: BIOTECHFRUIT2008

S.Z. El-Agamy, T.K. El-Mahdy, D.SH. El-Kasas

Indian jujube, micropropagation, salt and, drought tolerance

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2009.839.15