IRANIAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES (JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE)
Year:2007 | Volume:37 | Issue:6|Papers Count:26

The release rate of nonexchangeable potassium plays an important role in supplying available potassium, particularly in soils containing K-bearing minerals. The objective of this study was to investigate the release of nonexchangeable potassium in ten soil series In Hamedan province. Greenhouse and laboratory experiments were conducted to study the effect of malic acid on release of K from Ca- saturated soil samples (<2mm) using 0,01 M malic acid for 2-2084 hours. Average released potassium was 226.7mgkg-1. The no exchangeable potassium release curves showed an initial rapid phase followed by a slow phase of potassium release from soils. The kinetics of nonexchangeable potassiurn release was evaluated using the zero-order, first-order, second-order, simple Elovich, power function and parabolic diffusion equations. Based on their highest determination coefficient (R2) and lower standard error of the estimate (SE) the power function, first order and parabolic diffusion luations described the data satisfactorily. Due to the conformity of kinetics data to the parabolic diffusion, power function and first-order equations, it was suggested that the process of K release from these soils ws affected by diffusion processes. There were not any significant correlations observed between malic acid extractable potassium with NH4OAc and NaOAc exchangeable potassium, wheat yield and total uptake. There were no significant correlations observed between wheat yield and total uptake with slope and intercept of different kinetic equations. Significant correlations were observed between wheat total uptake, and NHtOAc as well as NaOAc exchangeable potassium.

In order to study the genomic variation of tea root lesion nematode, Pratylellchs loosi Loof, 1960, from infested tea gardens IS samples were collected from different regions of Guilan province. The samples (in plastic bags) were transferred into the nematology lab and stored in suitable needed humidity and 5-10.C in refrigerating conditions before being processed. After extraction of the nematode, template DNAs were extracted from each population, and ITS-rDNA as well as D2/D3 LSU - rDNA genomic regions were amplified by polymer asechain reaction (PCR) while using special primers. Each amplified genomic region was digested by endonuclease restricting enzymes including DraI, PstI, HindllI, HindU, MboI, Hin61, AluI, and HaelII. Results indicated that the amplification of ITS- rDNA and D2/D3 LSU. rDNA genomic regions by PCR, introduced unit genomic bands (respectively 1250 and 787 pb. in size) about each 0 I them, and in all studied populations. These results also showed that there are much similarities among produced genomic segments through endonuclease restricting enzymes. ITS-rDNA genomic region was not restricted by HaeIII and D2/D3 LSU - rDNA, neigher was by PstI; DraI and HindIII .

The effect of antioxidant and polyphosphate for preserving quality of Rainbow Trout in cold store was determined. Fish samples were dipped in three sets of polyphosphate (0.2%) baed antioxidant for 60 minutes. The first group contained 0.02% & 0.05% BHA, the second contained 1.5& 3% citric acid and the third a mixture of 0.05% BHA and 3% citric acid. Control samples were prepared without being dipped in any antioxidant. The peroxide value (PV), total volatile nitrogen (TVN), total microbial count and organoleptic tests were performed for four months, and in duplicate. Samples with a mixture of BHA and citric acid (M) had the lowest peroxide value (7.8 meq/1000g) while samples with 3% citric acid (C2) had the lowest TVN (19.7 percent). The lowest microbial load was 1.5x 103 colonies per gram obtined for both C2 and M. Control sample had the highest PV, TVN and microbial load. Organoleptic test did not reveal any significant difference among samples, while only citric acid sample more appealing. 

Extension of cultivated areas becomes gradually impeded due to ever-increasing population growth long with urban area development. Therefore, it becomes necessary to use the existing cultivated lands more efficiently. Land suitability evaluation, considering physical and socio-economical conditions, makes the use of land feasible as well as sustainable. The objective of this study was a qualitative, quantitative and economic land suitability assessment in Shahrekord area for important irrigated crops. Field soil survey, laboratory analysis of the soil, qualitative and quantitative as well as economic land suitability evaluations comprised the different successive stages of this research. In qualitative land evaluation, climatic, topographic and soil suitability classes were determined according to their degree of matching. Parametric method (square root method) was used in qualitative evaluation. Quantitative and economic evaluations were done based on observed yield and gross benefit respectively. Results of qualitative evaluation showed that the study area is highly suitable for wheat production, as matched with the existing climatic conditions, whereas for other crops the area is moderately suitable. In addition to climate limitations, there are also topographic and soil restrictions for the growth of the studied crops. Based on quantitative evaluation, most land units were classified in the same class as, or in lower classes than, the qualitative suitability class for each crop this being due to low management levels at the farms. Results of economic evaluation indicated that most land units were in SI class qualified for wheat, alfalfa and potato utilization while few land units were classified in S2 and S3. Potato production was identified as the most profitable crop over the study area rather than wheat and alfalfa. There should be more profitability in future for this kind of utilization, particularly through improvement in management practices.

In this trial the stages of zygotic and adventitious embryo development and the time of polyembryony were studied via microscopical analysis in five citrus rootstocks (Sour Orange, Flying Dragon, Citromelo, Citrange and Shell Mahalle). The fruits were harvested from each genotype at 35, 50, 65, 80, 95, 110 and 125 days after pollination (DAP). Diameter and weight of fruits were measured, then seeds were extracted and fixed in FAA. After cross section with Paraffin method and staining with Safranin- Fast green the number of embryos per seed were determined. The experimental design was RCD with three replications, each replication being consisted of ten seeds. Results showed that none of the seeds bore any sort of pro-embryo at 35 DAP. Embryos at fifty DAP were in globular shape and at later stages the seeds carried one or more developed embryos. The first embryo which developed from globular shape to a normal and mature embryo was a zygotic one, recognition of which from nucellar embryos might have great. impact on breeding of citrus species. In this study it was shown that the genotype and fruit age significantly affect the phenomenon of polyembryony as well as diameter and weight of fruits.

One hundred and seventy monoconidial isolates of Magnapor the grisea, collected from different areas of Guilan province, were examined using rep-PCR genomic fingerprinting for charcterization of genetic diversity and for identification of clonal lineages in populations of the fungus. Isolates were recovered from ten common rice cultivars in different rice growing areas during 1997-1999. Two outwardly directed primer sequences designated from terminal inverted repeats of Pot2 (a repetitive transposable element specifically found throughout fungal genome) were used in this experiment. Fungal genomic DNA was extracted using phenol/ chloroform method for long PCR conditions, including increased extention time (10 min) and higher pH (9.2) used to amplify sequences lying between Pot2 elements. It generated variable length fragments ranging from 550 bp to longer than 5 kb. Each isolate was subjected to DNA fingerprinting, and both Pot2 lineage (isolates with  ³70% band similarity), and haplotype (isolates which had DNA fingerprints which differed by 5 to 30%) frequencies were determined. Phenetic analysis differentiated five distinct Pot 2 fingerprint lineages designated A, B, C, D and E. Among 170 isolates, 14, 2, 4, 3 and 18 haplotypes were identified within lineages A, B, C, D, and E, respectively. Lineage E with frequency of appromixately 57.6% of all isolates made the most common and largest fingerprint group, recovered from all rice cultivars sampled, especially local cultivar Tarom, and was distributed throughout Guilan. Haplotype F6, the most common haplotype within lineage F, was recovered from almost all sampling sites. Lineage A, the second most common lineage, with 29% frequency, was found mainly in the central and western parts of Guilan. Haplotype AI, the most common haplotype within lineage A, was found in most sampling sites in the western province. LineageA occurred at highest frequency on a susceptible local cultivar, Binam. Three other lineages totally exhibited appromixately 9.5% frequency. On the contrary to results of pathogenicity tests and number of pathotypes identified in the past, this investigation indicated a low level of genetic diversity in the M grisea population based on molecular method in Guilan. The result is similar to that reported in other countries. It is likely that the main reasons for a low level of diversity are a lack of sexual recombination, occurence of asexual reproduction and a short growing season for rice in Guilan province. By asexual reproduction, clonal propagation occures in M grisea populations and is not affected by high variations.

The Effect of planting density on tuberization of two potato cultivars was studied under Hamadan climatic conditions in a factorial experiment of randomized block design with four replications. The treatments consisted of three sowing densities (20 cm, 25 cm and 30 cm plant spacings on the row) and two potato cultivars (Agria and Marfona). The number and weight of tubers per plant, yield, dry matter content of tubers, and percentage of tubers with 35-55 mm diameter were determined. There were significant differences observed between cultivars for the number and weight of tubers per plant at levels of 1% and 5%, respectively. There were significant differences among planting densities at I% level. Cultivars and sowing densities also showed interactions for tuber weight per plant. Agria cultivated with 30 cm spacing had the highest tuber weight per plant. There were significant differences for yield between cultivars and among sowing densities as well as between their interactions. Agria planted with 20 cm spacing had the highest yield. Agria cultivated with 20 cm spcing contained the highest, while Marfona planted with 30 cm density the lowest dry matter content. There were no significant differences observed between cultivars, among sowing densities, and their interactions for percentage of tubers of35-55 mm diameter.

The effects of three media namely: clay soil, mixture of fine sand / palm waste (10:IV/v), and mixture of fine sand /spent mushroom compost (10: I V/V) with three sod nettings including: plastic mesh, gunny hemp, palm fiber as well as control (without net) on growth rate, root density, amount of chlorophyll, and weight & strength of sod pieces  were investigated in Agricultural Faculty of Tehran university in two years (2001 and 2002). Turf used was of sport types and a mixture of four types of seeds including: Lolium prenne cv. 'Taya' (40%), Poa pratensis cv. 'Wembly' (30%) and cv. 'Sobra' (10%), and Festuca rubra cv. 'Diego' (20%). The experiment was conducted as a factorial based on Complete Randomized Design with 12 treatments and 3 replications. Results showed that growth rate, leaf chlorophyll and sod weight, in clay bed, were higher than in sand mixes and at 1% level the difference between them was significant, while root volume, and sod strengthin sand beds were higher than in clay beds. Application of palm fiber netting increased growth rate, root volume and leaf chlorophyll. Sod supported by plastic netting exhibited the most strength.

One of the in vitro culture goals in plants is their micro propagation under asceptic conditions. Tulip is one of the top ten cut flowers in the world whose origin is the center of Asia, especially Iran and Turkey. With regard to low speed of traditional propagation of tulip, in vitro culture with the purpose of increasing propagation speed will have huge economical potential. The goal of this investigation was shoot production through direct and indirect regeneration. It was performed as a factorial, complete randomized design with 3 replications, as well as 13 observations in each plot. Explants (Scales) were obtained from tulip bulbs, variety Tulipa gesneriana L.'Apeldoorn'. The obtained calluses were subcultured onto MS solid media in order to induce indirect shoot regeneration. Hormone treatments were applied in two separatetrials. In the first trial, NAA of two concentrations (0.05 and 0.5 mg/l) among with BAP at two concentrations (1 and 2 mg/l) were applied. In the second trial NAA at two concentrations (1 and 2 mg/l) in composition with BAP at three concentrations (0, 0.5 and 1 mg/l) were applied. The highest shoot production in the first trial was obtained when applying 0.5 mg/I NAA and 2 mg/1 of BAP. In the second trial 1 mg/l NAA and 2 mg/l BAP caused the highest regeneration in tulip. In direct regeneration, immature petioles of the same tulip were cultured onto MS medum with two hormone compositions (1 mg/l NAA with mg/l BAP, and 2 mg/l NAA with 2 mg/l BAP). The highest shoot production was obtained at 2 mg/l NAA with 2 mg/l BAP concentrations.

The predators Syrphidae flies form an important group of natural enemies of aphids in canola crop. These play a main role in controlling cabbage aphid Brevicoryne brassicae (L.). Among them a number of larve feed on aphids, while adult fly feeds feed on nectar. These flies are known as flower fly. This investigation was conducted during 2002-2004 on canolafarms of West Azerbaijan province. Aphids and syrphids larvae were collected and reared into Growth chamber of temperature in the range of 25±2°C, RH %65± 5 and 14: 10 L/D. Results indicated that six species: Episyrphlls balteatus (Degeer), Eupeodes corollae (Fabricus), Scaeva albomaclllata (Macquart), S.latimaclllata (Brunetti), S.pyrastri (Linnaeus) and Paragus compeditlls Wiedemann had been collected from aphid colony on rapeseed. As study of population dynamism of species collected was carried out. E. balteatus with the highest frequency of 29/75% and 33/48% for the year 2003 and 2004 respectively, and P. compeditus with the lowest frequency of 4% and3/35%wererecoreded. Such information is useful to proper spray timing and method programming as well as to support and preserve the natural enemies in the area plantations.

The phenotypic and genetic characteristics of ewe traits were studied using multitrait animal model analysis with DFREML procedure on the data of 5025 ewe trait records, collected during 1989 to 2003 in Rearing and Improvement of Lori-Sakhtiari Sheep Station (Sholi) in Shahrekord. The model included fixed effects (year, age of ewe and according to trait sex of lamb, and days of weaning as covariate) and random effects additive genetic of ewe, permanent environmental of ewe as well as residual. The overall mean (s.d) of traits were 56.21 (7.33) kg for ewe body weight, 1.91 (0.54) kg for greasy fleece weight, 0.91 (0.28) for conception rate, 1.20 (0.43) for number of lambs born per ewe lambing, 1.12 (0.45) for number of lambs weaned per ewe lambing, 1.06 (0.56) for number of lambs born per ewe joined, 1.00 (0.55) for number of lambs weaned per ewe joined, 5.65 (1.48) kg for total birth weight per ewe lambing, 31.34 (8.26) kg for total weaned weight per ewe lambing, 5.01 (2.28) kg for total birth weight per ewe joined, and 26.77 (13.44) for total weaned weight per ewe joined. The heritability coefficient of ewe body weight and greasy fleece weight were estimated as 0.42±0.02 and 0.55±0.02. For reproduction traits the corresponding estimates ranged from 0.04±0.02 for number of lambs weaned per ewe joined to 0.14±0.02 for number of lambs born per ewe lambing.The repeatability coefficient of ewe body weight (0.60) and greasy fleece weight (0.66) were high while for reproduction traits low (0.11) to moderate (0.26). The phenotypic and genetic correlations between body weight and other traits were low to moderate, between greasy fleece weight and reproduction traits were low, between conception rate and other reproduction traits, they were low whereas among the rest of reproduction traits moderate to high.

A factorial experiment was conducted to compare the effects of 2 dietary energy levels (3100 and 2900 Kcal/Kg) and 3 amino acid profile son Cobb broilers performance and litter quality during the starter and grower phases. The two dietary amino acid profiles were based on amino acid recommendations from the National Research Council (NRC, 1994) or based on phase-feeding (PF) approach. In a third amino acid profile, chickens were fed NRC recommendations during the starter period but placed on a PF system during the grower period. Dietary energy level had a significant effect on broiler performance parameters, litter nitrogen and abdominal fat percentage (P<0.05), but no significant effect on other carcass compositions (P>0.05). Dietary amino acid profile did not have a significant effect on broiler performance and carcass characteristics (P>0.05).Crude protein intake and litter nitrogen percentage were lower in broilers fed diets formulated up on PF approach rather than based on NRC recommendations (P<0.05). Lower feed consumption per Kg of weight gain associated with PF approach in, dictated that some benefits may be availed.

Considering that whey proteins have excellent functionality and physicochemical properties in foods, in this research, whey concentrate as well as whey powder was used to improve the formula of three wheat flour products. Two kinds of industrial whey powder and laboratory whey concentrate which was produced by vacuum evaporation and lactose crystallization containing: 11.4, 12.5 and 17 percent protein (dry weight) respectively, were used. The heat denaturation level of the proteins of the samples was estimated by using gel electrophoresis experiments. The whey powders and concentrate were used in the ratios of 3, 5, 7 and 10 percent on the basis of flour in the formula of macaroni and the ratios of 0.4, 0.7, 1 and 1.3 percent on the basis of flour in the formula of cake and biscuits, respectively. The cooking loss of cooked macaroni, raw macaroni color, stickiness after cooking and breaking strength of twelve samples of produced macaronis were evaluated. The creep test (by Instron), volume unit weight, external layer color and the degree of aging of twelve samples of produced cakes were determined. The level of tenderness and external layer color of twelve samples of produced biscuits were assessed. The panell test of the samples of all the products was done by panelists. Results showed that increasing protein content in the whey powder and in concentrates had increasing beneficial effects on the physicochemical properties, resulting in higher qualities of the products. The use of industrial powder and laboratory whey concentrate and the level of 10% on the basis of flour of macaroni provided the best results for the quality characters under study. Use of the levels of 0.7 and 1 percent of the existing flour in the formula of cake for the laboratory whey concentrate and two kinds of industrial powder produced the best quality products, respectively. With respect to biscuits, the best products were obtained, by using the levels of 1 and 1.3 percent for the laboratory whey concentrate, and the two kinds of industrial powder, respectively. In the above research data analysis was done through a Factorial test while a comparison of averages, made using Duncan test.

In order to study the effect of some chemical treatments on vase life and some other quality attributes of lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflora Mariachii. cv. Blue) cut flowers, a study was done on the basis of a completely randomized design while applying chemical treatments. Cut flowers of lisianthus were kept in pots containing chemical solutions of aluminum sulfate, 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate, ethanol, cobalt chloride, and only disttiled water as control. To all treatments, except control, 2.5% sucrose was aded. Pots were then placed in chambers of 25°C ambient temperatures. Some qualitative and quantitative attributes such as: vase life, fresh weight, ethylene production rate, water uptake, etc were measured and analyzed statistically. The vase life of cut flowers was completed when the petals or stem below the flower had lost turgidity. Results indicated that copper sulfate at 100 ppm concentrations along with 2.5% sucrose most positively effects the vase life and preserving quality of lisianthus cut flowers (p £%1).

Employing two methods, stain and flour-pellet, the effect of natural raindrops was assessed in seven sinoptic meteorology stations in Kurdistan province. Calibration equations of the above methods were determined by dropping raindrops from a certain height to reach the terminal velocity and using them in turn for diameter of raindrops to be calculated. The correlation between the diameter of the drops and the rainfall intensity was then investigated. The mean and median (d50) of raindrops diameter were maximum in Marivan and minimum in Zarineh stations. The statistical analysis of the data using GLM distribution which is approprialte for non consistent data was employed. It was determined that the difference between the two methods was significant while Quncan test being used to compare the means. It was shown that the stain method is more appropriate to be used in the study than the flour pellet method.

Regeneration capacity and shoot multiplication rates of different tissue explants including leaf lamina, petiole, petal and inflorescence of sixteen commercial cultivars of African violet were compared under in vitro and under greenhouse conditions. MS standard culture medium plus 30 gr/l of sucrose, 1 mg/l IBA and 3 mg/l BA were used in all explants cultures. The highest and the lowest number of regenerated shoots were obtained from leaf and inflorescence explants (34 and 8 shoots within 8 weeks) respectively.MS standard culture medium plus 30 gr/l of sucrose, and the amounts of 0, 0.5, I, 2 and 3 mg/l of both IBA and NAA were used for shoot cutting cultures while peat and perlite were compared in rooting of shoots under greenhouse conditions. Rooting and regeneration of shoots were increased using 2 and 3 mg/l of IBA, while dedifferentiation and callus induction were observed in media containing 2 and 3 mg/l of NAA. No callus was produced in the no growth regulator containing culture media (control) where the shoots were rooted faster as compared with the hormone-treated media. Perlite was shown to be a better medium for rooting of shoots as compared with either peat or in vitro culture media.

Rumen liquor was taken from a mature lactating dairy cow with permanent rumen cannula, fed finger millet (Eleusine coracana) straw as a roughagead libitum and mixed commercial concentrate to meet its energy requirements. Bacterial cells were separated using centrifugation of rumen liquor and kept on phosphate buffer for a period of thirty days. Two glucose concentrations as well as two types of isoacids (valeric and isovaleric) along with glucose were employed for shifting-up growth after starvation. A roll tube method was used for maintenance and cultivation of bacteria while the changes of turbidity were employed as an indicator for either reduction or increase of bacterial mass in various times. Results indicated that bacterial cells could remain alive in the buffer medium without any nutrient for duration of 30 days, but after this period they need a long time for shifting-up growth as compared with the normal conditions. The time needed for shifting-up growth is related to the kind of nutrient in the medium. In low glucose concentration (19.7 mmol/ml of media) the shifting-up growth started after 12 hours of the solution injection into the tubes while logarithmic growth is carried out during the next 12 hours. But in high glucose concentration (39.42 mmol/ml of media) logarithmic growth started after 18 hours of solution injection and was kept on through the next 29 hours along with higher bacterial concentration. Isovaleric acid (15 mmol + 13.86 mmol glucose per ml of media) in comparison to valeric acid (17 mmol + 13.86 mmol glucose per ml of media) indicated that bacteria in Isovaleric acid treatment need less time (two hours) for going to the shifting-up growth stage and more time (two hours) to reach the stationary phase. In addition, bacteria concentrations in valeric acid treatment were higher than those in isovaleric acid ones (P< 0.05).

Talc-based formulations of Pseudomonas fluorescens strains P2 and Pl24 were tested as seed and soil treatments separately for their ability to control Rhizoctonia solani, the causal agent of rapeseed damping-off, in greenhouse and field trials. In general, the formulated bacteria were more effective in suppressing the disease than the suspension of bacterial cells in carboxyh1ethylcellulose solution (1%, w/v), in either greenhouse or field trials. The formulations as soil treatment were more effective than seed treatment in reducing the disease. The formulations of strains P2 and P124 as soil treatment in greenhouse trials exhibited greatest effect on reducing rapeseed damping-off. The formulation of strain P2, as soil treatment, had the greatest effect on reducing the rapeseed damping-off in field trials. The formulation of strain P2, as soil treatment, had the greatest effect on enhancement of the plant growth factors in greenhouse trials. The formulations of strains P2, and P124 stored at 4°C exhibited better shelf life and efficacy in vitro than their counterparts stored at 25°C. Long-term stability of the formulation of strain P2 was found to be more lasting.

In order to improve grape quality during handling and storage, this research was conducted in a Factorial experiment using a completely randomized block design (CRBD) with three factors and three replications. Factors included CaCl2 concentration at four levels (0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5%), two grape cultivars (Rishbaba and Ghzlouzum) and two spray times (10 and 20 days before harvest). One vine was employed in each experimental unit, and in total 48 vines was used. At harvest, the ripen fruits were picked and packed in 48 woody boxes and transferred to cold storage. Before being transferred to storage, and in cold storage (in monthly intervals), some berry traits including Brix (TSS), pH, titrable acidity (TA), loss of weight, dropping and browning rate, calcium content and percent decay were measured. Results indicated that Ca content of fruit increased in 0.5 % CaCl2 spray treatments' also the Ca and K content of rachis being increased in the range of 0 to 1 percent CaCl2 applications. The effect of other levels of CaCl2 treatment on those traits wasn't significant. Spray of CaCl2 20 days before harvest increased the berry calcium content. The highest contents of Brix, TA, berry and rachis calcium, rachis K and the lowest pH rates were found in Rishbaba grape. During fruit storage, the amount of TSS, pH and loss of weight increased while TA of fruit juice decreased. The effect of CaCh treatments (between 1 and 1.5 %) on the rate of fungal decay was not significant but it was less than that in control. Fruit appearan0063ein Rishbaba cultivar was better, and decay rate less than that in Ghzlouzum grape.

Through a simple and rapid in vitro propagation method while using fragmented shoot apices and via direct organogenesis, plants of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) cv.'Bidaneh Sefid' were propagated. Fragments were obtained from individual apices planted in liquid medium of Murashige & Skoog (1962) supplemented with 2.0 mg/l BA and 30 g/l sucrose. To determine the effects of BA concentration on shoot multiplication, 4 week primary leaf-like structures obtained from liquid medium, were subcultured in basal solid medium containing 6.5 g/l agar, 30 g/l sucrose as well as different growth regulators (0.5BA, 1.0BA, 2.0BA, 0.5BA+0.1 IBA & 1.0 BA+O.IIBA) mg/J. They were transferred to solid medium after 3 and 6 weeks. Results showed significant differences among treatments, as regards the number of finally obtained shoots. In an evaluation of the media, and the effect on the number of shoots, MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/l BA produced mean shoot numbers of 21 and 102.5 after 3 and 6 weeks respectively, (the highest number of shoots), and was chosen as the best hormone composition for continuing proliferation through plantlets. Shoots grown in this medium were sub cultured regularly and plantlets obtained were rooted in a hormone-free Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium in half concentration while 20 g/l sucrose. Plants were then, acclimatized and transferred to greenhouse successfully. This in vitro propagation method has the potential to produce a large number of plants from a single shoot tip in a short period of time. It also has the commercial potential in mass clonal propagation of grapevine. Results indicate that through this method one can produce numerous healthy plants from one single shoot tip during only 20 weeks, and through just two sub culturing.