The effect of mycorrhizal symbiosis on the development of micropropagated artichokes

In this work, microrosettes of Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus Fiori of the "catanese" type were subcultured in a medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) (0.05 mg l-1). For root induction, indoleacetic acid (IAA), α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and indole-3-butyrric acid (IBA) were used at three concentrations: 2, 5 and 10 mg l-1. The highest percentage of rooted shoots was aided by the presence of 10 mg l-1IAA. Once transplanted in pots, the plantlets were inoculated with 10 g Glomus viscosum strain A6 (AM fungus). Acclimatisation was clearly facilitated by the addition of the AM fungus. Indeed, the mycorrhizal plantlets registered a survival of between 90 and 95% for the rooting shoots and 60% for the non-rooting shoots. The botanical characterization of the material produced was carried out in field and was based on several morphological and productive parameters. Data collected confirm the characteristics of the original cultivar, the efficiency of the in vitro propagation material and the possibility of using this technique in early types of artichoke. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.