In this study in vitro root culture protocol was elaborated in order to diversify screening methods and develop quick and reliable assay to test the level of chosen Daphne genotype resistance to fungal pathogen Thielaviopsis basicola. Plantlets of Daphne caucasica, D. cneorum, D. jasminea, and D. pontica were propagated aseptically on medium composed of WPM mineral salts and MS vitamins, supplemented with 1.0 mg dm^-3 2iP, 0.1 mg dm^-3 NAA, 0.5 g dm^-3 PVP, 0.5 g dm^-3 MES, 0.65 g dm^-3 calcium gluconate, and 20 g dm^-3 sucrose. Root cultures were initiated from adventitious roots regenerated on micropropagated shoots. Proliferative root cultures of examined Daphne species were obtained both on solidified and liquid medium, supplemented with various doses of NAA. Cultures of detached roots proved to be a convenient system of testing to T. basicola resistance. Daphne roots cultured in vitro were distinctly contaminated under laboratory conditions. Susceptibility of cultured organs differed between species. This simple method is appropriate to be put into practice for quick selection of resistant/tolerant genotypes to the soil-borne fungal pathogens affecting plants via root system.

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