Determination of the optimized culture medium and growth conditions for micropropagation of Persian oak (Quercus brantii L.)

The aim of this investigation was micropropagation of Quercus brantii L. via culture of terminal and lateral buds for mass production of this plant. The plant materials were collected from Fars province Iran in spring and summer seasons. After surface sterilization and the removal of phenol materials from the explants, they were transferred into different culture media containing different concentrations of Indole-3-butyric acid and 6-benzyladenine as plant growth regulators. The results showed that 90 seconds sterilization with HgCl2 (0.1% concentration) was suitable for contamination control. In order to remove phenol materials, floating explants in 100 mg ascorbic acid solution and 100 ml distilled water showed, the best result. The results also showed that the Woody Plant Medium (WPM) containing 0.1 mg/l 6-benzyladenine (BA) and 0.01 mg/l Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) was suitable to establish this species with the highest survival rate. The highest number of proliferation was obtained in the Woody Plant Medium culture containing 0.7 mg/l 6-benzyladenine and 0.01 mg/l Indole-3-butyric acid. Also, the best rooting treatments were successfully achieved by using Woody Plant Medium containing 1 mg/l Indole-3-butyric acid. All experiments were carried out under growth chamber conditions with light intensity of 2500-3000 lux with 8 hours of dark period at 24-25 ºC. Totally, the results of this study showed an adequate potential of Persian oak for mass production by tissue culture in order to reconstruct Zagros oak forests and also for breeding tasks.