Restoring populations of Populus pruinosa Schrenk through biotechnology

Abstract The most effective method to combat desertification is planting artificial forests of Populus pruinosa . In the Zhetysu and Almaty regions, samples were gathered from natural stands, which P. pruinosa and P. diversifolia likely displaced. The morphological attributes of 27 samples were related to one species, but one sample was causing doubt. PCR analyses were performed using eight microsatellite markers. The genotyping results revealed that all of the 28 samples collected were of the same type of P. pruinosa . They can effectively be introduced into in vitro culture in winter when physiological dormancy has ended. Annual lignified cuttings 6 to 7 cm long with 1 to 2 buds from selected plus trees were sterilized from saprophytic microflora by bleach NaOCl (1:1) for 10 min and 0.1% HgCl 2 solution for 5 min and placed on the medium. Both male and female plants were propagated in the medium that contained ½ Murashige and Skoog (MS), 0.1 mg L -1 BAP; 0.02 mg L -1 GA; 20 g L -1 Glucose; pH 5.7, where the multiplication rate averaged 3.8 to 4.5, and the shoot length at 5.7 to 7.0 cm in 4 to 6 wk. For the transferring regenerated plants to soil in pots, the best substrate was found as peat, humus, and sand at a ratio of 50:40:10, respectively.