Improving Effect of Salicylic Acid on the Multipurpose Tree Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Willd Tissue Culture

Salicylic acid (SA) is one of numerous phenolic compounds found in plants with numerous important physiological events. Exogenously application of Salicylic acid (SA) is useful for the growth and development of plants. This investigation aimed to study the improving effect of salicylic acid on the tissue culture of Ziziphus spina-christi. To study its improving effect were used shoot-tip explants cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) solid medium supplemented with different concentrations and various combinations of auxins, cytokinins and Salicylic acid. Media without growth regulators enhanced the growth and elongation of shoot-tip explants not its proliferation. Lower concentrations of cytokinin were better for shoot-tip proliferation than higher ones. 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) was superior to kinetin (KN) in shoot-tip proliferation. The optimum culture conditions for shoot-tip proliferation were achieved on MS medium supplemented with 0.25 mg/l 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 25 mg/l Salicylic acid (SA). The optimum culture conditions for callus formation were obtained on MS medium supplemented with 3 mg/l 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 25 mg/l Salicylic acid (SA), while the optimum culture conditions for somatic callus formation were obtained on MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 10 mg/l Salicylic acid (SA). The optimum culture conditions for rooting of shoots were obtained on MS medium supplemented with 0.25 mg/l of Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 10 mg/l Salicylic acid (SA). The highest percentage of survival plants was obtained in the soil mixture supplied with 10 mg/l Salicylic acid (SA). Salicylic acid (SA) showed positive effect and good response on callusing, shooting and rooting of Z. spina-christi. Cultures received small amounts of salicylic acid were better than those lack it.