In vitro propagation of Berberis buxifolia Lam.

Berberis buxifolia is a native shrub of Patagonia with a great importance due to its crop production as soon its medicinal and tinctorial applications. The aim of this work was to develop a protocol for in vitro propagation of B. buxifolia, with special emphasys on the rooting stage. The culture of the explants on Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium added with 0.55 microM BA allowed to attain a multiplication rate of 1:4.7 at day 63. Rooted shoots were obtained on Murashige and Skoog medium with half strength of macronutrient salts. The culture of the shoots with a period of 4 days of darkness at the beginning of the rooting, on a medium with 1.25 microM IBA for 7 days, followed by a IBA free medium until day 28, allowed to attain 80% rooting. These results show that B. buxifolia can be in vitro propagated.