In vitro culture of explants from field-grown olive trees (Olea europaea L.)

The use of in vitro culture, as a tool for the induction of genetic variability in olive (Olea europea L.) clones and varieties through somaclonal variation and mutagenesis, depends on the possibility to establish cultures of explants from field-grown plants, as well as on the definition of efficient methods of regeneration. To start in vitro culture, stem segments with apical and axillary buds were obtain from branch of field-grown olive trees. Among different sterilization procedures, the combined use of HgCl2 and NaClO provided the best results. The explants were cultured on the modified “Olive Medium” (OM), supplemented with 5 mg/l of zeatin. The apical buds showed a better survival compared to lateral ones ans subsequently developed shoots. Callus formation was observed in the abscission zone of leaf petioles. Callus was also produced on explants grown without zeatin.