High-frequency multiple shoot induction from nodal segments and assessment of genetic homogeneity of micropropagated Atriplex halimus L.

Atriplex halimus L. is a potentially useful plant in the arid region for animal feed, soil conservation and phytoremediation. Propagation of this plant through seeds is hindered by seed dormancy and a short viability period. Development of a robust tissue culture-based regeneration method would greatly facilitate rapid multiplication. In order to develop an efficient micropropagation method, we evaluated the effects of various growth regulators in the synthetic culture media. For initiation of the shoot multiplication process, surface-sterilized nodal segments were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with various concentrations of growth hormones such as 6-benzyladenine (BA) or thidiazuron (TDZ) alone or in combination with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). The optimum response for shoot bud multiplication was observed on MS medium supplemented with both BA and TDZ. The shoot buds were then allowed to elongate and root. The plants were acclimatized, transplanted to soil and the regenerated plants were subjected to molecular analysis to determine their genetic homogeneity. Jaccard's coefficient and Nei and Li coefficient indicated high degree of genetic identity between the mother and the tissue-cultured plants. The results suggest suitability of this propagation technique for large-scale multiplication of A. halimus L.