Plant Regeneration from Petioles of Kiwifruit Microshoots

Abstract

A simple and reliable protocol for plant regeneration from petioles of micropropagated plants of kiwifruit [ Actinidia deliciosa (A. Chev) Liang and Ferguson, var. deliciosa `Hayward'] is described. Morphogenic callus was initiated by culturing petioles taken from in vitro-propagated plants. From the media tested, Cheng's K(h) medium plus 0.1 μ m IAA, 4.5 μ m zeatin, and 2% sucrose was the best for callus induction, maintenance, and shoot bud formation and development. Bases of developed shoots were immersed in 5 m m IBA for 15 seconds; subsequent culture in half-strength K(h) basal medium achieved 82% rooting. Regenerated plantlets were successfully transplanted to soil with 97% survival. Chemical names used: indole-3-acetic acid (IAA); indole-3-butyric acid (IBA); 2-methyl-4-(1 H -purin-6-ylamino)-2-buten-1-ol (zeatin).