Effect of culture media and plant growth regulators on in vitro growth and production of secondary metabolites in Vaccinium arctostaphylos L.

The current study was conducted to evaluate the effect of basal culture media and plant growth regulators on establishment and growth of Whortleberry explants and production of secondary metabolites in in vitro conditions. Accordingly, single node explants and apical buds of Whortleberry were collected from forestry areas (Soha, Ardabil, Iran), surface sterilized by benomyl (3 g/l), H2O2 (5%), Ethanol (70%) and sodium hypochlorite (2.5%, pH=10) for 12 min, respectively. The explants were cultured on MS, AN, and WPM media supplemented with 0.1 mg/l NAA or IBA, and different levels of BAP, Zeatin and TDZ. Results showed that growth of explants (%) and number of leaves per explant were affected significantly by type of basal culture medium, plant growth regulators combination and their interaction. Number of leaves per explant and explant’s growth in MS medium was significantly higher than in AN, and WPM media. The highest shoots (%) and number of leaves were obtained in MS basal medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/l IBA plus 0.5 and 1 mg/l Zeatin or 0.5 mg/l BAP. Moreover, there were significant differences among the treatments for secondary metabolite contents. The highest amount of anthocyanin and flavonoid were obtained in MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/l BAP+ 0.1 mg/l IBA and MS medium plus 2 mg/l TDZ and 0.1 mg/l NAA.