Micropropagation of Ribes khorasanicum species by tissue culture

Ribes khorasanicum is one of the most invaluable shrub plants belonging to the Grossulariaceae family which has wide use such as medicinal applications. Natural reproduction of the species is mainly through vegetative propagation via rhizomes. High palatability، grazing، restricted ecological range، high ecological demands، and its sexual reproduction difficulties exposed the species to the extinction. Tissue culture techniques are the modern approaches to maintain and develop the valuable plant species. Axillary and apical buds of branches obtained from several endemic plants in Hezarmasjed mountains were used as initial explants. Various treatments for surface sterilization were investigated. Aseptic culture was established on MS، DKW and QL media with deferent concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). MS media with BAP and IBA were used for multiplication phase، whereas، MS medium with different concentration of IBA and BAP were used for rooting phase. Results showed that MS medium was the best medium for establishment of explants and 1mg/L BAP was considered as an optimum concentration for multiplication phase. MS medium with 0. 5 or 2 mg/l IBA، was the best one for rooting phase. Well developed root system and high quality rooted plants were acclimatized properly.