Micropropagation of Amygdalus pedunculata, an industrial shrub

Amygdalus pedunculata, an economically important shrub, is useful as a raw material for activated carbon and biodiesel production and for environmental restoration. Because A. pedunculata is currently endangered owing to its naturally low reproductive rate and over-harvesting, the rapid propagation of large numbers of high-quality seedlings is necessary. In this study, we developed and optimized an in vitro protocol for A. pedunculata seedling production. The optimized disinfection protocol of explants using 70 % ethanol for 30 s followed by treatment with 2 % sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) for 20 min. Bud induction was achieved by supplementing Murashige-Skoog (MS) medium with 0.5 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA) and 0.1 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Subsequent bud proliferation was promoted using MS medium containing 0.1 mg/L 6-BA combined with 0.3 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Rooting induction was carried out on half-strength MS (1/2 MS) medium supplemented with 0.3 mg/L IBA and 0.1 mg/L 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Finally, plant hardening was performed using a substrate mixture composed of peat, perlite, and vermiculite in volumetric ratios of 6:3:1, respectively. The developed protocol, which enables the in vitro production of a large number of A. pedunculata seedlings with high levels of ex vitro survival, opens the door to the industrial exploitation and conservation of this economically important plant.