THE APPLICATION OF SOME AGAR ALTERNATIVES IN MICROPROPAGATION OF THREE GRAPE(Vitis vinifera L.) VARIETIES

Abstract

Some agar alternatives were used for solidifying the half strength MSmedium using corn starch, potato starch, ice cream thickener (Thalabia) and amixture of potato and gelatin. Those agents were tested for themicropropagation of three European grape varieties Vitis vinifera L. namely,Ollivate blane (Fransi Aswad), Halawani and Kamali. Results showed that usingcorn starch or potato starch instead of agar inconsistent in solidifying theculture media. Meanwhile, mixing potato starch with gelatin or ice creamthickner individually proved promising solidifying agents. The addition of 1 mg/1BA to the culture media increased the number and length of shootssignificantly. No significant differences appeared between such gelling agentused. The three grape varieties produced roots characterized with its length andleaser branching when cultures on auxin free medium compared with thosegrown on auxin containing media. It is concluded that the three varieties ofgrape can be micropropagated on some cheap agar alternatives instead of thecostly agar.____________________________________________________________________