In-vitro multiplication of cherry rootstocks

Two cherry root stocks mazzard (Prunus avium L.) and mahaleb (Prunus mahaleb) were used for in vitro multiplication studies. Different media combinations were treid to optimize the best combination fast and efficient proliferation and multiplications of root stocks. Meristem culture was done to produce virus free clonal root stocks. The best combination for meristem establishment and proliferation in culture was MS media with 1 mg/l Benzyl Adenine (BA) and for multiplication it was MS with 0.5 mg/l IBA plus 1 mg/l BA. The shoot elongation and multiplication was found better in mazzard rootstock than in mahaleb in all the treatments used. The rooting medium was half strength of Murashige and Skoog medium containing 2.0 mg/l Indole Butyric Acid (IBA). Rooted shoots showed very low survival rate.