MICROPROPAGATION OF 6 ROCKROSE (CISTUS) SPECIES

Micropropagation methods for six rockrose species (Cistus albidus L., C. clusii Dunal, C. ladanifer L., C. laurifolius L., C. psilosepalus L ., and C. salvifolius L.) were established. Cultures, initiated from n odal segments of seedlings, were grown on MS medium, alone, or supplem ented with 0.88 mu M BAP or 0.93 mu M Kin. Multiple shoot formation wa s obtained after the first subculture (30 days) from which new nodal s egments mere taken and grown on the same culture medium to maintain pr oliferation. Shoots obtained at the third subculture were rooted alone or supplemented with different concentrations of IBA. The plantlets o f the six species, thereby obtained, were successfully acclimatized to ex vitro conditions. Chemical names used: 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), 6-furfurylaminopurine (Kin).