Optimization of In vitro Propagation of Qare-Qat (Vaccinium arctostaphylus)

In order to optimize the micropropagation of Qare-Qat (Vaccinium arctostaphylus J.J.Sm), samples were collected from two regions of Iran (Asalem and Kelardasht). Anderson (AN) media containing different concentrations of zeatin (۰, ۰.۵, ۱, ۲ and ۴ mg L-۱) and different levels of pH (۴.۵, ۵ and ۵.۵) were compared. The in vitro shoots were transferred on AN media supplemented with zeatin (۱ and ۲ mg L-۱) alone or in combination with Indole-۳-butyric acid (IBA) (۰.۲ and ۰.۴ mg L-۱). To optimize the rooting stage, elongated shoots (۱.۵- ۲cm) were cultured on half strength semi- solid media containing activated charcoal (۰ and ۷ g L-۱),or half strength liquid AN medium supplemented with different concentrations of IBA (۰, ۰.۵, ۲ and ۳ mg L-۱) and NAA (۰ and ۰.۵ mg L-۱). The results indicated that at the establishment stage AN media supplemented with ۴ mg L-۱ zeatin (pH= ۵.۵) and ۱ mg L-۱ zeatin (pH= ۵) were the best treatment for Asalem and Kelardasht explants, respectively. For the Asalem explants, the highest number of proliferated shoots (۴) was observed on AN media consisting of ۲ mg L-۱ zeatin and ۰.۴ mg L-۱ IBA. Whereas for the Kelardash explants  the highest number of proliferated shoots (۳) was observed on AN media consisting of ۲ mg L-۱ zeatin and ۰.۲ mg L-۱ IBA. The highest percent of root formation (۸۶ and ۶۶%) were observed in half strength AN medium containing of ۷ g L-۱ activated charcoal and ۳ mg L-۱ IBA and ۰.۵ mg L-۱ NAA in Asalem and Kelardasht explants, respectively. The plantlets were successfully transferred to soil and the survival rate was ۸۵%.