Investigation of several effective factors in the micrografting success rate of some Iranian pistachio varieties Pistacia vera L.

Micrografting technique has been used on woody species to produce viruses-free plants, rejuvenation, reinvigoration, analysis of grafting compatibility and incompatibility and clone's propagation. Several experiments have been carried out in order to investigate the most suitable culture media after micrografting, effect of types of rootstocks and scions, effect of time after subculture of scions, and comparison of in vitro and in vivo micrografting techniques for some Iranian pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) varieties. For in vitro micrografting, rootstocks and scions (Badami-Zarand, Owhadi, Akbari, and Ahmadaghaii) were propagated using micropropagtion. For in vivo micrografting experiments, dry nuts of Pistacia vera L. var. Badami-Zarand were used. Percentages of regenerated micro-shoots (Micrografting success percentage), callus production on grafted area and leaf numbers were evaluated after one month. Results showed that types of rootstocks and scions had significant effect on micrografting success percentage. The best culture medium for rootstocks was MS supplemented with 2 mg.L-1 after micrografting in which decreased callus production in grafted area and growth of nodal meristems of rootstocks. The time after subculture of scions had no significant effect on microgftaing success rate. In vitro and in vivo scions had no considerable differences, therefore it is possible to use the in vitro scions on the in vivo rootstocks.