Synthetic Seed Production and Short-Term Conservation of Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) Using Nodal Segments

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) is an important fruit species with high nutritional and pharmacological value. Seed dormancy, low germination rates and variations in generative propagation make propagation of the species and conservation of its genetic resources difficult. In the present study, synthetic seeds were produced from nodal segments of C. monogyna, and the effect of different storage periods and Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) on germination, micropropagation and rooting performance of the synthetic seeds was examined. Synthetic seeds were produced by 3% sodium alginate and hardened in a 100 mM CaCl2 solution. The synthetic seeds obtained were cultured on hormone-free Woody Plant Media (HF-WPM) and on WPM supplemented with 2 mg/L IAA, either immediately or after storage for 1, 2 and 3 months in the dark at 4°C. Results indicated that storage period had no significant effect on germination rates, and the synthetic seeds retained their viability for up to 3 months. On the other hand, micropropagation and rooting were significantly influenced by storage duration. The highest micropropagation rates were observed after 2 and 3 months of storage, but rooting was observed only in synthetic seeds stored for 3 months. The addition of 2 mg/L IAA to the medium did not increase germination but induced micropropagation. The results indicated that the synthetic seed technology is an effective method for short-term conservation and in vitro propagation of hawthorn genetic resources.