Optimization of in vitro Propagation of Qare-Qat (Vaccinium arctostaphylus)

In order to optimize the micropropagation of qare-qat (vaccinium arctostaphylus j.j.sm), samples were collected from two regions of iran (asalem and kelardasht). anderson (an) media containing different concentrations of zeatin (0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mg l^-1) and different levels of ph (4.5, 5 and 5.5) were compared. the in vitro shoots were transferred on an media supplemented with zeatin (1 and 2 mg l^-1) alone or in combination with indole-3-butyric acid (iba) (0.2 and 0.4 mg l^-1). to optimize the rooting stage, elongated shoots (1.5- 2cm) were cultured on half strength semi- solid media containing activated charcoal (0 and 7g l^-1), or half strength liquid an medium supplemented with different concentrations of iba (0, 0.5, 2 and 3 mg l^-1) and naa (0 and 0.5 mg l^-1). the results indicated that at the establishment stage, an media supplemented with 4 mg l^-1 zeatin (ph= 5.5) and 1 mg l^-1 zeatin (ph= 5) were the best treatment for asalem and kelardasht explants, respectively. for the asalem explants, the highest number of proliferated shoots (4) was observed on an media consisting of 2 mg l^-1 zeatin and 0.4 mg l^-1 iba. whereas for the kelardash explants the highest number of proliferated shoots (3) was observed on an media consisting of 2 mg l^-1 zeatin and 0.2 mg l^-1 iba. the highest percent of root formation (86 and 66%) were observed in half strength an medium containing 7 g l^-1 activated charcoal and 3 mg l^-1 iba and 0.5 mg l^-1 naa in asalem and kelardasht explants, respectively. the plantlets were successfully transferred to soil and the survival rate was 85%.