Does dikegulac affect in vitro shoot proliferation and hyperhydricity incidence in olive explants?

Abstract

Dikegulac was tested as a lateral shoot-inducing agent on micropropagated olive (Olea europaea 'Chondrolia Chalkidikis') shoots. Rugini olive medium was supplemented with dikegulac at 0, 16.9, 33.8, 66.7, 100.5 or 133.4 μΜ. Dikegulac was not phytotoxic and the explants treated with 100.5 μΜ had higher number, length, and weight of new shoots. Hyperhydricity (or vitrification) symptoms were diminished by increasing dikegulac concentration in the medium dose (66.7-133.4 μΜ). Also, dikegulac stimulated the production of large amounts of callus at the base of olive explants.

Keywords

• apical dominance
• growth retardant
• micropropagation
• olea europaea, vitrification