Efficient and reliable propagation and rooting of foetid juniper (Juniperus foetidissima Willd.), as an endangered plant under in vitro condition

Foetid juniper (Juniperus foetidissima Willd.) is one of the most important coniferous species faced with multiple threats and it is difficult to propagate it with sexual reproduction. Therefore, the main goal of this study was finding appropriate salt concentrations and growth regulators for shoot regeneration and rooting of J. foetidissima under in vitro conditions and also shortening time of mass production. The effects of 6 different basal culture media (Olive Medium (OM), Murashige and Skoog (MS), Driver and Kuniyuki (DKW), Woody Plant Medium (WPM), 1/2 MS, and 1/4 MS) on shoot proliferation and two different methods of root induction on explants were investigated. Results revealed that OM culture medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) (1 mg L−1) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) (0.1 mg L−1) was the best medium for shoot proliferation of J. foetidissima (P < 0.05). The highest percentage of shoot regeneration (100%), maximum number of shoots (6.38 shoots per explant), and the maximum shoot length (6.74 mm) were observed in this culture medium. The lowest percentage of shoot regeneration (50%) was obtained in 1/4 MS medium (P < 0.05). In addition, the minimum number of shoots (3.44 shoots per explant) and shoot length (4.46 mm) were observed in WPM medium. The highest root induction rate (88.9%) was obtained in OM medium containing 0.5 mg L−1 of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). In conclusion, type of basal culture medium considerably influenced proliferation, shoot growth, and root induction in J. foetidissima explants.