In the present study, we optimized the procedures to pretreat the parental material, to collect, sterilize and inoculate the explants in the tissue culture of Ar- disia mamillata Hance, so that more effective sterile explants can be obtained. The results revealed the optimal procedures. In detail, the parental materials were trans- ferred and pretreated in laboratory in February. The stem tips of new branches were collected in middle March, cleaned with eradicator and then rinsed with tap water for 1-2 h. After that, the explants were surface sterilized with 70% alcohol for 30 s, rinsed with sterile water 2-3 times, sterilized with 0.1% mercuric chloride for 4 min, rinsed with sterile water three times and sterilized with 0.1% mercuric chlo- ride for 4 min again. Finally, they were inoculated into medium after being rinsed with sterile water 5-8 times. By this method, the pollution rate of explants can be greatly reduced while their survival rate can be significantly improved.
