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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » National Clonal Germplasm Repository » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #314099
Title: Developing improved micropropagation medium for hazelnuts (Corylus avellana L.) based on ion concentrations

Author
item AKIN, MELEKSEN - Oregon State University
item Niedz, Randall
item Reed, Barbara

Submitted to: In Vitro Biology Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/17/2015
Publication Date: 6/17/2015
Citation: Akin, M., Niedz, R.P., Reed, B.M. 2015. Developing improved micropropagation medium for hazelnuts (Corylus avellana L.) based on ion concentrations. In Vitro Biology Meeting. Vol 51: S60-61.

Interpretive Summary: Hazelnuts are one of the most challenging crops to propagate because of the varied nutritional requirements of the genotypes. Initial steps to improving growth medium determined needed changes to the minor nutrient components. Major mineral nutrients are not yet optimized. To develop a medium optimal for a wide range of genotypes, ion concentrations of several important nutrients were tested. Corylus avellana hazelnut cultivars Dorris, Dundee, Jefferson, Wepster and Zeta tissue cultured shoots were tested. The most significant ion factor affecting plant quality was ammonium. All of the cultivars required much higher levels of ammonium for better growth. Plant quality for most of the cultivars was also better with higher concentrations of phosphorous, magnesium and sulfate. Using ions as factors is a promising approach to tissue culture medium formulation. This first step indicated the general concentrations needed for an improved medium however, further studies are required for better growth of hazelnuts.

Technical Abstract: Hazelnuts are one of the most challenging crops to propagate because of the varied nutritional requirements of the genotypes. Initial steps to improving growth medium determined needed changes to the minor nutrient components. Major mineral nutrients are not yet optimized. To develop a medium optimal for a wide range of genotypes, ion concentrations of NH4 +, Ca+2 , Mg+2 , PO4 -2 and SO4 -2 were tested at a range from 0.5x to 2x those of DKW medium with revised minor nutrients. These ions were derived from stock solutions of KH2PO4 , K2SO4 , MgSO4 * 7H2O, Mg(NO3)2 * 6H2O, Ca(NO3)4 * 4H2O, NH4NO3, (NH4)2SO4 and NH4H2PO4. KNO3 as K+ and NO3- was used for pH adjustment. Response surface statistical software assigned 24 treatments and a DKW control was added. Corylus avellana hazelnut cultivars Dorris, Dundee, Jefferson, Wepster and Zeta shoots were tested. The most significant ion factor affecting plant quality was NH4 +. All of the cultivars required much higher levels of NH4 + for better growth. Plant quality for most of the cultivars was also better with higher concentrations of PO4 -2, Mg+2 and SO4 -2. Requirements were low to medium for Ca+2 for most. Only ‘Jefferson’ required low PO4 -2 and high Ca+2 concentrations. Using ions as factors is a promising approach to tissue culture medium formulation. This first step indicated the general concentrations needed for an improved medium however, further studies are required for better growth of hazelnuts.