MICROPROPAGATION OF MULBERRY (MORUS ALBA L.) CV. AL-TAIFY

A protocol for rapid multiplication of mulberry (Morus alba L.) cv. Al-Taifythrough in vitro culture was developed using axillary buds explants excised from mature plants. Shoot initiation was induced on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations of 6-bezyl amino purine. Effect of different concentrations of 6-bezyl amino purine with a combination of 1mg/l kinetin on shoot multiplication was studied. To induce rooting, elongated shoots (3-4cm) were cultured on MS medium added with different concentrations and combinations of indole-3-butyric acid and indole-3-acetic acid. Higher percentage of shoot initiation (90%) was observed on MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/l 6-bezyl amino purine. Initiated shoots gave a higher average number of shoots (4 shoots/explant) when it were subcultured on MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/l 6-bezyl amino purine and 1mg/l kinetin. Higher average number of elongated shoots (19) was noticed on MS medium contains 1 mg/l 6-bezyl amino purine and 1mg/l kinetin. A maximum percentage of root formation (70%) was observed when elongated shoots were subcultured on MS medium containing 2 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid. Good rooted plantlets were transferred to pots containing sterile peat moss for acclimatization in greenhouse with (80%) survival rate.