Effect of culture medium on micropropagation of olive (Olea europeae L.) cv. Moroccan Picholine

The effect of the basal media OM (Olive Medium), 1/2 MS (Murashige et Skoog with half strength macronutrients), WPM (Lloyd and McCown), 1/2 Miller (Miller with half strength macronutrients), and K&H (medium with Knop macronutrients and Heller micronutrients), supplemented with 5 mg/l Zeatine, on shoot proliferation of mature 'Moroccan Picholine' cultivar (30 years old) was investigated. OM and 1/2 MS media were the most effective at the early stages of proliferation. A microcutting percentage of up to 91,6 and 90,9% were achieved in OM and 1/2 MS media respectively but OM was distinguished later by permitting a better shoot growth with no vitrification symptoms. The highest percentages of new shoots per explant were obtained with 1/2 MS and OM media (67 and 65% respectively). OM was the most effective for shoot height (12,42 mm) followed by 1/2 MS (8,92 mm). The other tested media induced an important callus development and leaf chlorosis, and the reduction of shoot growth was noticeable.