Effect of cytokinin type and concentration on in vitro shoot proliferation of hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.)

Corylus avellana L. (hazelnut) is traditionally multiplied by layering because it is difficult to propagate vegetatively using shoot cuttings or grafting. Over the past two decades, in vitro micropropagation has become a successful technique for rapidly building large numbers of many new plant cultivars, but success with hazel remains mixed. The limiting factor for hazel has been low rates of in vitro shoot proliferation. Our study of hazel cultivar 'Daviana' examined the response of shoot multiplication to different cytokinin types and concentrations with the aim of maximizing new plant yields for commercial benefit. Four cytokinins (BAP, kinetin, zeatin, IPA) were evaluated at three concentrations. BAP at 5 mg/L (22.2 mu M) was effective for initiation and elongation of new shoots when used with 'Knoxfield2' medium formulated for hazel. New shoot initiation was lowest when the medium contained kinetin.