Innovative micropropagation of temperate fruit trees: the case of pear.

Within plant micropropagation methods, new techniques are being assessed in order to increase the multiplication rate and automate plant production as much as possible. In this context, the temporary immersion technique, a method based on the complete immersion of the proliferating explants in a liquid medium, alternating with a dried period, has been recently acquiring importance. In the present work this method has been applied to in vitro culture of wild pear (Pyrus communis var pyraster L.), in comparison to the solid medium culture, to improve proliferation ability of shoots obtained from leaves through adventitious regeneration. With temporary immersion, the multiplication rates were much higher (x 13) than with solid culture medium (x 4 - x 5), moreover, the plants revealed an excellent stem elongation and a higher rooting ability.