An efficient micropropagation protocol for Syrian sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) from the Qalamoun region

Abstract

Sumac ( Rhus coriaria L.) is a valuable medicinal shrub native to the Mediterranean, but its populations in Syria have sharply declined due to overexploitation and poor natural propagation. This study aimed to develop an efficient micropropagation protocol for Syrian sumac from the Qalamoun region. Explants were collected from six altitudes (1107–1700 m) as a preliminary screening step to identify the most suitable source material. The multiplication stage tested two cytokinins, BA and BAP (0.5–2 mg/L), alone or with 0.1 mg/L IAA, purchased from different suppliers to compare their efficacy (total of 17 treatments including control). The rooting stage tested NAA and IBA (0.5–2 mg/L) on half-strength MS (total of 9 treatments including control). Parameters recorded included shoot number, shoot length, leaf number, rooting percentage, root number, and root length. Treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) with two replicates (10 explants per replicate). Statistical analysis used two-way ANOVA and LSD test ( p ≤ 0.01). Only explants from 1700 m established successfully. The combination 2 mg/L BAP + 0.1 mg/L IAA produced the highest shoot number (12.7), leaves (48.9), and shoot length (4.23 cm). BAP was superior to BA. For rooting, 1 mg/L IBA achieved 90% rooting, 8.9 roots, and 5.28 cm root length, outperforming NAA. Acclimatization success reached 88%. An effective micropropagation protocol was successfully developed for Syrian sumac. The combination of BAP with IAA during multiplication and IBA during rooting produced well-developed plants with high survival ex vitro , supporting conservation and large-scale propagation efforts.