IMPROVED &ITAMELANCHIER ALNIFOLIA&IT (NUTT.) NUTT. EX M. ROEM. SHOOT PROLIFERATION BY MANIPULATING IRON SOURCE

The aim of this work was to enhance shoot proliferation by testing of two culture media Murashige and Skoog (MS) and its modification Murashige and Skoog Van der Salm medium (MS VDS) which differ only in iron source in order to improve micropropagation of Amelanchier alnifolia. Effect of basic and double concentrations of iron chelates in above mentioned media were also tested. Effect of auxins indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) versus alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) on shoot proliferation was evaluated after shoot initiation. It was successful on MS medium with 1 mg l(-1) 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.5 mg l(-1) IBA using dormant buds as primary explants. Statistical evaluation of auxins IBA and NAA effect on shoot proliferation showed that more suitable auxin for shoot multiplication is IBA compared to NAA both in concentration 0.5 mg l(-1). Testing of two culture media with various iron sources FeNaEDTA (ferric sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate) in MS medium and FeEDDHA (ethylenediamine di-2-hydroxyphenyl acetate ferric) in MS VDS medium and chelates concentrations (basic and double) showed that MS medium with double concentration of FeNaEDTA significantly enhanced axillary shoot proliferation, resulting in more than 10 shoots per explant. These results can markedly increase the efficiency of micropropagation process in Amelanchier species. Rooting of microshoots was achieved with 1 mg l(-1) IBA after 7 weeks; however, the percentage of rooting was low (35%).