Micropropagation of Populus euphratica and P. alba hybrids by tissue culture

In order to micropropagate Populus euphratica×P. alba and P. alba×P. euphratica, hybrids, shoot tips were harvested from research nursery of Biotechnology Department, Research Institute of Forests and Rangeland, Tehran, Iran. The buds were established after sterilizing by 0.1%W/V mercuric chloride for 1 minute on the MS medium containing 0.5mg/l BA and 0.01mg/l IBA. The shoots of the both hybrids were then transferred separately on 9 treatments, combinations of three different media (MS, WPM and DKW) with different ranges of hormones (IBA, 2iP and BA) in a completely randomized design with 3 replications and 3 time periods (every period was one month and each replication included 30 explants). The best treatment with the highest level of probability of shooting and the best growth in length were obtained using DKW medium with BA and 2iP by concentration of 0.5mg/l and 0.01mg/l IBA. Shoot rooting occurred in hormone free DKW medium after two weeks. The plantlets were established in polyethylene caps jam bottles, containing a light soil (1: 1: 1 peat, humus and sand) and kept in a germinator for acclimatization. They were acclimatized successfully and transferred to field after 40 days.