The in vitro rooting performance of pear rootstock 'OHxF 333' in different rooting procedures

Abstract

The in vitro rooting ability of 'OHxF 333 pear rootstock' (Pyrus communis L.) was investigated using indolebutyric acid (IBA) (0, 0.5 and 1.0 mgL^-1), putrescine (160 mgL^-1) and 4 different rooting procedures: the shoots taken from a multiplication medium (A) were transferred to an IBA- and putrescine-containing medium for 35 days; (B) were placed on an IBA- and putrescine-containing medium for 10 days, after which the shoots were transferred to an auxin- and putrescine-free medium for 25 days; (C) were placed on a hormone-free medium for 15 days, after which the shoots were transferred to an IBA- and putrescine-containing medium for 35 days; and (D) were placed on a hormone-free medium for 15 days, after which the shoots were transferred to an IBA- and putrescine-containing medium for 10 days and then transferred to a hormone-free medium for 25 days. Among the various rooting procedures, procedure A gave the highest rooting percentage (49.50%), number of roots (4.09) and length of roots (2.26 cm). The best results for rooting rate (86.86%) and number of roots (10.36) were obtained from the interaction between procedure A and the addition of 1.0 mgL^-1 IBA. The elongation phase used in procedures C and D did not have a superior effect on the rooting rate. Generally, putrescine alone produced a lower rooting rate, number of roots and root length than IBA in all rooting procedures.