Micropropagation and Rooting of Fig(Ficus carica L.) cv. White Kadota UsingTemporary Immersion and Semisolid Culturewith Microorganism-Assisted Acclimatization

Objective: To evaluate the effect of different concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) on the in vitro multiplication of Ficus carica L. cv. ‘White Kadota’; to compare a temporary immersion system (TIS) with a semi-solid culture system during the multiplication and rooting stages; and to assess the effect of beneficial microorganisms during ex vitro acclimatization. Design/methodology/approach: Axillary buds previously established in vitro were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, or 0.8 mg L⁻¹ BAP in combination with 0.02 mg L⁻¹ naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The treatment that elicited the highest multiplication response was subsequently evaluated in RITA® temporary immersion bioreactors and compared with a semi-solid culture system. Rooting was induced using different concentrations of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). During acclimatization, plants were inoculated with Trichoderma harzianum and Bacillus licheniformis. Results: A concentration of 0.8 mg L⁻¹ BAP resulted in the highest mean number of shoots and multiplication coefficient. The temporary immersion system enhanced shoot multiplication compared with the semi-solid culture system. Rooting percentages and root numbers were higher at 0.4 and 0.6 mg L⁻¹ IBA. Although the temporary immersion system yielded higher mean rooting values than the semi-solid culture system, the differences were not statistically significant. During acclimatization, plants inoculated with T. harzianum, either alone or in combination with B. licheniformis, exhibited the highest survival percentages. Limitations on study/implications: This study was conducted exclusively with Ficus carica L. cv. ‘White Kadota’ under controlled conditions. Therefore, further studies are required to validate the proposed protocol in other cultivars and production systems. Findings/conclusions: The use of 0.8 mg L⁻¹ BAP in combination with a temporary immersion system improved the in vitro multiplication of Ficus carica L. cv. ‘White Kadota’. During acclimatization, plants inoculated with Trichoderma harzianum, either alone or in combination with Bacillus licheniformis, exhibited the highest survival percentages. These findings highlight the potential of temporary immersion systems as an efficient alternative for the large-scale micropropagation of fig, although further studies are needed to confirm the effects of beneficial microorganisms during acclimatization.