Protocol for In Vitro Propagation of Salix acmophylla (Boiss.). Studies on Three Ecotypes

Salix acmophylla Boiss. has a traditional role in several regions of the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. As with many other woody species, the development of methods for fast propagation and ex situ conservation of this species is needed. We describe for the first time a micropropagation protocol of three S. acmophylla ecotypes. The best results for shoot proliferation were obtained by culturing the shoot explants on Woody Plant Medium (WPM) containing benzyladenine (BA) 5 μM, but it was also observed that proliferation can be further enhanced by the separation of the shoot tip from the underlying internodes, followed by their respective culture on BA- or activated-charcoal-containing medium. Thidiazuron or zeatin did not enhance shoot proliferation. The rooting of shoots occurred spontaneously, but for the ecotype with a lower propensity for rooting, treatment with 5 μM indolebutyric acid (IBA) increased rooting percentage. Genetic differences were evident in rooting success, but not in shoot development of the tested ecotypes in response to in vitro cultural conditions.