The effect of CuSO₄ for establishing in vitro culture, and the role nitrogen and iron sources in in vitro multiplication of Corylus avellana L. cv. Tonda Gentile Romana

Abstract

In the present work, we have used copper sulphate (CuSO₄·5H₂O) enriched medium for effective control of visible and latent contamination. Among the different concentrations used, 1.25–2.5 mg/L resulted the most appropriate. In addition, the role of different nitrogen source and concentrations (NH₄NO₃ and KNO₃), as different iron source (FeEDTA and FeEDDHA) has been investigated in the proliferation and rooting phases of European hazelnut (cv. Tonda Gentile Romana). The normal concentration of nitrogen present in Murashige and Skoog medium is too high for hazelnut micropropagation cv. Tonda Gentile Romana. A reduction of total nitrogen, accompanied by a reduction of ammonium forms, resulted in a better quality of the shoots. Similar results have been obtained when the common iron source FeEDTA has been replaced by the same concentration of FeEDDHA. An increase in rooting occurs when the amount of nitrogen was reduced in the rooting medium, particularly when the NH₄NO₃ was not present.

Keywords:

• Hazelnut
• micropropagation
• copper sulphate
• iron
• nitrogen supply

Acknowledgment

The research was partially supported by MIUR (Ministry for education, University and Research), Law 232/2016, “Department of excellence”, and by funding have been provided by the project “VI.VA.CO.-Sviluppo del vivaismo e della piattaforma varietale corilicola”. The authors thank Ms Antonella Minandri for her work and assistance in in vitro culture.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.