High-Efficiency In Vitro Root Induction in Pear Microshoots (Pyrus spp.)

Area of Science:

• Horticulture
• Plant Biotechnology
• Plant Physiology

Background:

• Mass propagation of pear (Pyrus spp.) via tissue culture is efficient for shoot multiplication but hindered by low in vitro rooting rates.
• Improving in vitro rooting is crucial for the commercialization and practical application of pear micropropagation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine optimal conditions for inducing root formation in Pyrus microshoots.
• To overcome the limitations of low rooting efficiency in pear in vitro culture.

Main Methods:

• Microshoots were treated with a high concentration (2 mg L⁻¹) of auxins (IBA and NAA) at the onset of callus formation.
• Treated microshoots were transferred to R1 medium (1/2 MS, 30 g L⁻¹ sucrose, no PGRs) for root development.

Main Results:

• Successful rooting was achieved in European pear (P. communis), Asian pear (P. pyrifolia), and hybrid pear (P. pyrifolia × P. communis).
• Rooting rates reached 66.7-100% for European, 60% for Asian, and 83.3% for hybrid pears within an average of 25 days.
• Control groups showed significantly lower rooting rates (0-13.3%) after 60 days.

Conclusions:

• The developed method effectively enhances in vitro root induction across diverse pear varieties.
• This technique supports mass propagation and acclimatization of pear, with potential for global commercial use.