A MICROPROPAGATION SYSTEM FOR HAZELNUTS (CORYLUS SPECIES)

A micropropagation system was developed for hazelnut cultivars. Grafte d greenhouse-grown plants produced many more viable explants than uppe r branches of mature field-grown trees. Shoots from grafted greenhouse -grown plants collected March through July and suckers of mature field -grown trees collected in July produced the most growing explants (46% to 80%). Three- to five-fold multiplication was obtained after 4 week s of culture on NCGR-COR medium supplemented with 6.7 mu m BA and 0.04 mu M IBA. Roots were produced on 64% to 100% of shoots grown on half- strength NCGR-COR mineral salts and 4.9 mu M IBA for 4 weeks. Ex vitro rooting by a brief dip in 1 or 5 mM IBA was equally successful. Trans plant survival was 78% to 100%. Chemical names used: N-6-benzyladenine (BA); indole-3-butyric acid (IBA).