MICROPROPAGATION OF DIFFERENT PITAYA VARIETIES

Abstract

Pitaya attracts attention due to its properties such as fruit color, minerals, antioxidant properties and rich nutrient content both in Turkey and in the world. Seed and cuttings are mostly used in the production of pitaya. One of the best methods for fast and disease-free production of pitaya is in vitro tissue culture. In this study, young shoots of different pitaya varieties were cultured in Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with different plant growth regulators such as 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), gibberellic acid (GA3), Indole-3-butyric (IBA). The highest value of the multiplication coefficient (5.41) was found in Halley's Comet variety cultivated in MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l BAP. The lowest value (1.84) was detected in Bloody Mary cultivar growing in MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l BAP. According to the results of rooting studies, between 10-95% root formation was detected when the medium and pitaya varieties were compared. While the best medium for rooting, MS medium supplemented with 1 mg / l IBA is detected, It has been determined that MS medium without plant growth regulators (PGRs) can also be used for rooting. Based on our results, the healthy and large amount of pitaya seedlings could be obtained.