Effects of different concentrations of plant growth regulators on in vitro regeneration and rooting of thornless black berry (Rubus occidentalis L.)

The thornless Black berry (Rubus occidentalis) contains components such as elagic acid, anthocyanin, campherol and salicylic acid. So, it has high antioxidant activity that can inactivate the free radicals and prevent many diseases, such as cancer. Optimization of tissue culture methods for mass production and gene transfer is very important for blackberry. The present study was aimed at determining the effects of different plant growth regulators concentrations on regeneration and rooting and the effects of different concentrations of sucrose on rooting of thornless black berry (Rubus occidentalis L.) under in vitro conditions. Interaction of BA (0.2, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 mg.L-1) and IBA (0 and 0.1 mg.L-1) was investigated on lateral bud explants regeneration. In the rooting stage, the effects of IBA and NAA each at four levels of 0.2, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 mg.L-1 as well as sucrose at four levels of 1, 1.5, 3, and 4.5% were studied. BA (1 and 1.5 mg.L-1) + IBA (0.1 mg.L-1) was the best regeneration treatment (regeneration: 100%, number of shoots: 4.6, and shoot length: 1.30 cm). The results indicated that the best rooting medium contained NAA (0.75 mg.L-1) and sucrose 3 and 4.5% (rooting: 100%, number of roots: 7.5, and root length: 2.88 cm).