In vitro micropropagation of olive (Olea europaea L.) ‘Mission’ by nodal segments

Abstract

Olive (Olea europaea L.) cultivars are mainly propagated by hardwood cuttings under mist unit of greenhouses. Such techniques are time consuming, laborious and have limited efficiency. In vitro propagation methods may be a good alternative for propagation of olive cultivars. Current study was conducted to establish a successful and high efficient method for micropropagation of olive ‘Mission’ via nodal segments. Results of this study showed that production of phenolic compounds and necrosis of explants may be controlled by submersing the explants in a mixture of 100 mg L-1 citric acid and ascorbic acid for 30 minutes, after submersion in water for 2 hours. The best proliferation rate and growth obtained in the presence of benzyladenine and gibberellic acid at the rate of 2.1, 2.08, and 0.6 mg L-1, respectively. Proliferated explants rooted on MS/2 supplemented with 4 mg L-1 indolbutyric acid. Rooted explants adapted to outdoor condition by placing them under ordinary mist/cooling unit system of a greenhouse. The method described in this study is suitable for bulk propagation of olive ‘Mission’ in a period of three to four months; however the applicability of the method should be evaluated for other olive cultivars.