ARS | Publication request: An improved protocol for micropropagation of saltbush (Atriplex) species

Submitted to: Native Plant Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: December 15, 2009
Publication Date: June 1, 2010
Citation: Reyes-Vera, I., Lucero, M.E., Barrow, J. 2010. An improved protocol for micropropagation of saltbush (Atriplex) species. Native Plant Journal. 11:53-56.

Interpretive Summary: Atriplex griffithsii (Griffith's saltbush) is a threatened halophytic shrub found in saline soils of only three isolated regions within desert basins in Southern New Mexico and Arizona. Micropropagation, or in-vitro culturing methods were developed and utilized for research exploring endophyte interactions and diversity in Atriplex griffithsii. These protocols, reported herein, may be of interest to the community at large should the need arise to expand existing Atriplex griffithsii populations. The micropropagation protocol described in this study can induce shoot multiplication and subsequent rooting such that new A. griffithsii plants can quickly be generated from a few milimiters of surface sterilized shoot material. The protocol has also been utilized for micropropagation of the more broadly distributed Atriplex canescens.

Technical Abstract: Atriplex griffithsii Standl is a threatened halophytic shrub found in saline soils of isolated regions within the desert basins in Southern New Mexico and Arizona. A related species within the genus, A. canescens, has been successfully micropropagated, suggesting that clonal propagation may offer a strategy to produce large numbers of A. griffithsii plants for conservation, restoration, or research needs. However, previously reported A. canescens micropropagation protocols could not be reproduced with A. griffithsii. Here we evaluated rates of shoot production of A. griffithsii explants exposed to varied growth regulator treatments. Maximal shoot productivity was observed with explants exposed to 1.14 µM indole 3-acetic acid (IAA) + 24.61 µM 6-('-'-dimethylallylamino) purine (2iP). Rooting frequencies of 55% were observed on hormone free medium. Results demonstrate potential to micropropagate clonal A. griffithsii, a species with potential for restoration of saline soils.