Aims: The mass propagation and breeding new varieties of Ziziphus jujuba Mill as a valuable fruit tree and herb, which is well adapted to dry and semi-arid climate, is very important. The aim of the present research was to optimize direct regeneration method in Ziziphus jujuba Mill.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the explants consisted of leaf cut into 3 parts, leaf cut from 4 sides, and full leaf of in vitro and compared in Murashige and Skoog and woody plant media with different concentrations of Thidiazuron (TDZ; 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20μM) and Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA, 0 and 1μM). The effect of 2 and 4 weeks of darkness on regeneration rate was investigated. The experiments were conducted in factorial based on a completely randomized design. The mean of statistical data was compared using Duncan’s multiple range test. SAS 9.3.1 software was used and the difference was considered significant at 1% probability level.
Findings: The 2 weeks of darkness treatment with the mean of 1.38 was better than the 4 weeks of darkness treatment. The Maximum number of shoots (2.27) was obtained in leaf cut into 3 parts. The maximum percent of regeneration (75.0%) and highest number of regenerated shoots (4.83) were obtained in the MS medium containing 10μΜ TDZ and 1μΜ NAA.
Conclusion: Regeneration rates in Ziziphus jujuba Mill is affected by the type of explant, culture media and plant growth regulators.   Maximum rate of regeneration is observed in leaf cut into 3 parts and cultured on MS medium containing 1μM NAA and 10μΜ TDZ. Plantlets are rooted and successfully acclimatized at “in vivo” conditions.