Response of in vitro cultures of potato, tomato, apple rootstock, and bitter almond to a culture medium supplemented with municipal solid waste

In vitro cultures of 'Spunta' potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), 'Fiona F-1' to mato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), 'MM 106' apple rootstock (Malus domes tica Borkh), bitter almond (Amygdalus communis L.) were grown on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with municipal solid waste (MSW) compost at 0, 3, 6, or 9 g L-1. Thirty-five days later, cultures were evaluated fo r number and length of proliferated shoots and roots, callus size, and visu al quality. Concentrations of tin (Sn), arsenic (As), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn ), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), cadmium (Cd), and iron (Fe) in t he culture medium and in potato microshoots were determined. As the percent age of MSW in the medium was increased, concentrations of all elements incr eased. Concentrations of As, Cu, Zn, and Ni in potato microshoots increased consistently and significantly as the MSW percentage in the medium was inc reased. Municipal solid waste had no effect on number or length of potato r oots. The highest number of potato shoots was obtained with the unamended m edium or media supplemented with 9; g L-1. No rooting was observed on tomat o, apple, or almond cultures. Number and length of tomato shoots were reduc ed as a result of supplementing the medium with MSW, however, quality of sh oots was improved. Callus size was greatest in unamended medium or medium s upplemented with MSW at 3 g L-1. Number and length of apple and almond shoo ts were reduced in the media supplemented with MSW.