Micropropagation of Chokeberry by In Vitro Axillary Shoot Proliferation

The black chokeberry—aronia (Aronia melanocarpa Elliot) is a shrub native to North America although nowadays well known in Eastern Europe. The fruits are regarded as the richest source of antioxidant phytonutrients among fruit crops and vegetables. Chokeberries can be easily propagated by seeds but this method is not recommended. Micropropagation is far more efficient than other conventional cloning methods like layering or softwood cuttings. Aronia clones are propagated in vitro through four- or three-stage method based on subculturing of shoot explants. The double diluted MS or full strength MS medium with elevated 50% Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ content are used in the initiation and proliferation chokeberry in vitro cultures, respectively. They are supplemented with 0.5–1.0 mg LBA, and 0.05 mg LIBA. The double-phase medium is recommended in the last passage before shoot rooting. The regenerated shoots could be rooted both in vitro on double diluted MS with 0.05 mg L⁻¹ IBA or in vivo in peat and perlite substrate and subsequently grown in the greenhouse.