University of Birjand Journal of Horticulture and Postharvest Research 2588-4883 1 Issue 2 2018 09 01 In vitro propagation of Tunisian local garlic (Allium sativum L.) from shoot tip culture 75 86 780 10.22077/jhpr.2018.1457.1016 EN Chadha Ayed High Agronomic Institute, 4042 Chatt-Mariem, IRESA-University of Sousse, Tunisia Chokri Bayoudh Regional Research Centre on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture (CRRHAB) Awatef Rhimi National Gene Bank of Tunisia Najla Mezghani National Gene Bank of Tunisia Faouzi Haouala Al Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU) Bouthaina AL Mohandes Dridi High Agronomic Institute, 4042 Chatt-Mariem, IRESA-University of Sousse, Tunisia Journal Article 2018 04 05 <strong>Purpose:</strong> Tunisian garlic is widely threatened by the attack of several viruses genus. For this purpose, a reliable protocol was established for rapid <em>in vitro</em> propagation of local garlic (<em>Allium sativum</em> L.) cultivars for large-scale production of virus-free plants and high quality bulblets. <strong>Research method:</strong> Well disinfected shoot-tips of 1 mm were used as explants and cultivated on MS basal solid media enriched with various growth regulators: 6-Benzylaminopurine, α-Naphthaleneacetic acid, Kinetin, Indole-3-butyric acid and 2-isopentenyladenine for assessment of shoot formation, shoot proliferation and bulb formation. <strong>Findings:</strong> Among the different phytohormone concentrations and combinations, MS basal medium without any growth regulators (M₀) was found optimal for shoot-tip initiation (96% explants development) and plantlets elongation (56.26 mm). For shoot proliferation, the M₁culture medium containing 1 mg L^-1 BAP and 0.25 mg L^-1 NAA was the best, giving a multiplication rate of 1.7 plantlets/explant. Shoots on M₀culture medium formed bulblets earlier. Multiple bulblets per explants were obtained on medium M₂₂containing 2 mg L^-1 Kin and 0.1 mg L^-1 NAA. Separated bulblets were transferred individually on bulbification media. Non-dividable bulblet was developed in various sizes. <strong>Research limitations: </strong>Bulblet acclimatization step needs to be well studied for high quality cloves production. <strong>Originality/value:</strong> This efficient optimized <em>in vitro</em> protocol will be successfully applied for large multiplication of virus-free garlic cultivars. https://jhpr.birjand.ac.ir/article_780_ead1d2cd93b58bb9d3cee3f6509b761c.pdf