Micropropagation of an Apricot (Prunus Armeniaca L.) Rootstock Candidate

Apricot is a species that is difficult to propagate and root vegetatively. Thus, it has so far been propagated by grafting on heterogeneous seedling rootstocks. There is currently no clonal rootstock in apricot (Prunus armeniaca) species. This study primarily aimed to develop a P. armeniaca rootstock that can be propagated clonally under in vitro conditions. Within the scope of the study, in vitro propagation possibilities of the 42-01 genotype (P. armeniaca) were investigated. The explants were taken to be cultured in nutrient media (MS, ½MS, NRM, and ½NRM) containing different concentrations and combinations of BA (0.0, 0.5, and 0.1 mg l−1), IBA (0, 0.01, and 0.025 mg l−1), and GA (0.5 mg l−1). During the study, plant vitality, shoot number, shoot length, rooting rate, root number, and root length were recorded. Except the MS medium (38.90%) containing 0.0 mg l−1 BA + 0.01 mg l−1 IBA +0.5 mg l−1 GA and the NRM medium (30.56%) containing 0.0 mg l−1 BA + 0.025 mg l−1 IBA + 0.5 GA, all the treatments resulted in a mean plant vitality ranging from 69.44 to 100%. The highest rooting rate was achieved as 61% in the ½MS medium containing 2.0 mg l−1 IBA. In terms of the root length, the ½NRM + 2.0 mg l−1 IBA treatment gave the best result and was measured as 2.46 cm. According to the results obtained, it can be said that the genotype 42-01 can be a clonal rootstock candidate in apricot.