Root initiation and acclimatization of mulberry shoots by the ex vitro rooting method with mist treatment

Microshoots of mulberry (Morus bombycis Koidz cv. Mitsushigeri) were rooted by the ex vitro rooting method with mist treatment. Terminal shoot cuttings (1-3cm long) each with 3-5 leaves, prepared from proliferating cultures, were inserted directly into plastic trays with 25 cells (5 x 5 x 6cm deep) containing vermiculite moistened with 0.5 ml/l Hyponex(R). These trays were placed in a greenhouse and exposed to a mist for 15 min every 30 min from 7:00 to 19:00 under 20% of natural daylight. After 0-25 days of the mist treatment, rooted plantlets were grown under natural daylight in the same greenhouse. The treatment of shoot cuttings with a mist for 15 days resulted in the promotion of root growth and simultaneous acclimatization. Alternatively shoot cuttings were rooted in the plastic pots with varying volumes (100, 200, 400 ml) instead of the plastic trays. The plantlets rooted in the large plastic pots had greater growth of shoots and roots. Ex vitro rooting with mist treatment is more efficient than systems that require enclosure in plastic boxes