IN VITRO PROPAGATION OF CARNATION (DIANTHUS CARYOPHYLLUS L.) UNDER SALT STRESS

Abstract

Herbaceous micro-cuttings of Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L., cv Yellow Liberty and Crimson Tempo) were rooted on half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium (MS/2) supplemented with different concentrations of NaCl (50, 100 and 150mM). Cultures were maintained for eight weeks with monthly subculture. On NaCl deprived medium (Control), the rooting rate was better for the cultivar Crimson Tempo (94.1%) than for Yellow Liberty (86.3%). Salinity affected significantly the rooting of cuttings. In fact, the rooting rate and the length of the main root were clearly reduced in presence of NaCl. Crimson Tempo was more tolerant to NaCl than Yellow Liberty. Rooting rate of its cuttings at 150mM NaCl was 36.2%. No roots were obtained with the cv Yellow Liberty. Vegetative growth of cuttings was also reduced by adding 100 and 50mM NaCl to the culture medium for Crimson Tempo and Yellow Liberty, respectively.