Micropropagation of Rosa damascena Mill. from mature bushes using thidiazuron

An efficient protocol for micropropagation of Rosa damascena Mill. has been established using single node segments from mature bushes. The effect of t hidiazuron has been compared with that of Nb-benzyladenine (BA) on in vitro shoot proliferation. The cultures initiated on medium supplemented with th idiazuron (TDZ) and/or cultured continuously on TDZ containing medium for 3 2-48 weeks exhibited considerably more shoot proliferation and growth durin g subsequent culture on a medium containing BA. Shoots induced on TDZ conta ining medium and then sub-cultured (8-12 times) on medium containing BA, at tained the capacity to grow and proliferate: on a medium free from plant gr owth regulators (PGR). Microshoots from TDZ induced cultures could be roote d easily on indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) supplemented medium. A short treatm ent with IBA (100 muM; 12 h) was found to be very effective for root induct ion. The rooted plants were successfully transferred to pots after 15 d of hardening in a mist chamber with about 70% survival.