This present study was conducted to develop a detailed in vitro propagation
system for the medicinal shrub Capparis spinosa L.
Single nodes with one bud and a small part of stem of 1-1.5 cm long were
used as initial explants which were collected f
rom a shrubs grown under field
conditions at Damascus suburb., (Doumar). Explants were surface-disinfected
by 70% Ethanol for 1 min., followed by immersion in Sodium Hypochlorite or
HgCl2 for different periods and concentrations with 1 drop of Tween 20 for 100
ml disinfectant solution, where after, they were placed onto MS basal medium
containing a combination of growth regulators at different concentrations (BA
at 4.44 or 8.88 μM) each with IBA 0.49 μM. Cultures were incubated in the
growth room at 23±1 c and light intensity of 3000 lux at the cultures level.
Multiplication rate of 25.17-fold from one explant was achieved every 4 weeks
on the optimal MS medium (MS+8.88μM BA+0.49μM IBA).
The described method has potential to produce large numbers of plantlets
within a short period of time to expand its cultivation for medicinal uses.