In vitro micropropagation of Pistacia khinjuk stocks

Ill Summary The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of Pistacia khinjuk Stocks propagation through tissue culture. In-vitro propagation technique of pistachio was developed on one Pistacia species of direct relevance to south east of Turkey (P. khinjuk Stocks). An effective surface sterilisation method for the production of sterile explants from P. khinjuk Stocks mature seeds was achieved. Successful in-vitro establishment was achieved for seeds of P. khinjuk (100%, Table 1). Plant growth regulators were not found to be essential for the germination of mature fruits cultured in an agarified Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. However, the cytokinin benyzlaminopurine (B A) was found to be essential for the initiation and proliferation off. khinjuk Stocks shoots derived from mature fruits cultured in an agarified MS medium. Shoot proliferation averaged between 4.25 and 7.25 shoots per original shoot tip in 4 weeks when MS medium was supplemented with 4.0 mgl"1 BA, 30 gl"1 sucrose, and 7 gl"1 agar. The best rooting response (100%) was obtained with 0.5 mgl'1 IB A in the agarified MS media. After subculturing there was difference in the rooting rate of shoots originating from seed. Rooted shoots were successfully established in-vivo in peat based compost in pots. The results are discussed in relation to a strategy for cloning elite P. khinjuk Stocks trees. In conclusion it is encouraging that a simple protocol for P. khinjuk Stocks regeneration through organogenesis has been established. However, the exploitation of organogenesis for cloning requires an entegrated protocol to regenerate elite stocks-trees under in vitro conditions. It will not be possible to realise the potential without further extensive research on organogenesis.