Influence of Plant Growth regulators and pH on Chaenomeles japonica L. Micrograft Survival and growth
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Chaenomeles japonica L. exhibits optimal growth in soils with neutral to slightly acidic pH, whereas alkaline soils, as a result of limited iron absorption and induce leaf chlorosis. In vitro micrografting represents a key technique for the micropropagation of diverse plant species. Micrografting of C. japonica onto tolerant rootstocks could be an effective strategy to enhance iron uptake efficiency. The major objectives of this study were to identify the most appropriate culture medium, and assess the responses of successfully micrografted plants to varying culture medium pH levels. The culture medium employed consisted of half-strength MS consisted of different plant growth regulators. The grafting method employed was a cleft micrografting of C. japonica onto P. coccinea rootstock. Micrografted plants that exhibited successful graft in the previous experiment were transferred to culture media with different pH levels (5.7, 5.9, and 6.1). The grafting success in micrografting of C. japonica onto P. coccinea rootstock is influenced by both media. In several instances, non-injected treatments resulted in the highest scion growth. The most effective condition was the injected medium supplemented with either 2 mg L⁻¹ BAP or 1 mg L⁻¹ IBA. The micrografting process improved the uptake of iron and manganese, suggesting a functional modification in the nutrient acquisition pathways during transport from the root system to the scion. These results suggest that utilizing the P. coccinea rootstock for micrografting C. japonica could be a viable strategy to mitigate iron chlorosis, a common affliction in alkaline soils that reduces chlorophyll content.
Source: Research Square
Authors: Mina Taghizadeh, Negin Sadat Hosseini
Institution: Arak University
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7202381850