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Abstract Camellia nitidissima is a species of shrub or small tree whose leaves and leaf buds are used to produce tea. In recent years, C. nitidissima planting area has been increasing, resulting in the growing gap between the supply and demand of C. nitidissima seedlings. At present, C. nitidissima can be propagated through seeding, cutting, grafting, plant tissue culture and air layering. Among them, cutting and tissue culture are the most commonly used methods for rapid propagation of C. nitidissima. Optimal rooting medium, type and concentration of hormones and environmental conditions are critical factors for C. nitidissima propagation by cuttings , while detoxification and optimization of medium composition are important for C. nitidissima propagation by tissue culture. This paper reviews recent progress in propagation techniques for C. nitidissima , and finally puts forward some prospects and suggestions in C. nitidissima propagation.
Key words Camellia nitidissima; Propagation; Cutting; Tissue culture
Camellia nitidissima, a member in the family Theaceae, is a rare ornamental plant and germplasm resource in the world. As one of the plant species listed in Appendix II to Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora ( CITES) , it is as famous as the valuable "living fossils of plants" such as Cathaya argyrophylla, Cyathea spinulosa and Davidia involúcrate. It also has high medicinal value. In foreign countries, C. nitidissima is regarded as the magic oriental tea, " Giant panda in the plant kingdom" and " the queen of tea" . As a plant under first-grade state protection of China, C. nitidissima is a high-value specific resource in Guangxi. C. nitidissima is difficult to propagate under natural conditions, and thus distributed in very limited areas. In recent years, the increasing demand for C. nitidissima has led to the growing gap between the supply and demand of C. nitidissima seedlings. At present, cutting is the most commonly used method for artificial propagation of C. nitidissima, which has a low survival rate. So, it is urgent to develop an effective method for rapid propagation of C. nitidissima. This paper reviews recent progress in cutting and tissue culture of C. nitidissima, and puts forward some prospects and suggestions in C. nitidissima propagation, to provide a theoretical basis for the development and utilization...