Full Length Research Paper

In vitro shoot multiplication of Ziziphus spina-christi by shoot tip culture

Mohammed Abdulaziz Al-Sulaiman¹ and Mohammed Najeb Barakat²*

¹Community College at Hreimla,Hreimla 111962, P.O.Box 300, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

²Center of Excellence in Biotechnology Research, College of Food Sciences and Agriculture, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: mnrbarakat@yahoo.com. 

Abbreviations: BAP, 6-benzyl amino purine; IAA, indole-3-acetic acid; IBA, indole-butyric acid; 2IP, isopentenyl adenine; NAA, naphthalene acetic acid.

Accepted 6 January, 2010

   Abstract

In vitro shoot multiplications were obtained successfully from shoot tips of Ziziphus spina-christi by placing explants into solidified medium (MS medium) supplemented with 0.01 mg/l NAA and 0.1 mg/l BA or 0.1 mg/l IAA and 1.0 mg/l kinetin. It was concluded that lower concentrations of all cytokinin studied were better for lateral bud proliferation and that BA and 2IP were better than kinetin in the production of lateral branches. No growth regulators were required for shoot growth and elongation. The shoots rooted best on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l IBA. Plantlet survival after transfer to soil was more than 90%. The shoot proliferation method described could be used for the mass clonal propagation of selected genotype cv Noaf variety. The variety is in a great demand due to its attractive fruit characteristics such as flavour, sweetness and fruit yield.

Key words: Clonal propagation, cidir, shoot tip culture, Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf.