The effects of basal medium and explants on the primary culture of dormant buds of date plum (Diospyros lotus Linn.) were studied.The effects of inoculation methods,TDZ concentrations,combinations of plant growth regulators and induction period under dark condition on callus formation,adventitious bud regeneration and root regeneration were investigated.The results showed that DKW was the best basal medium for the primary culture of dormant buds,as revealed by better growth of the buds.Genotypes had no impacts on primary culture,but influenced subculture obviously.Inoculation of the segments with the adaxial surfaces contacting medium on MS+ZT 0.1 mg/L+TDZ 2.0 mg/L under darkness for 20 d led to 100% formation of callus,but the percentage was only 81.4% on (1/2N)MS+2.200 mg/L TDZ.Inoculation of leaf segments,adaxial surfaces contacting medium,on MS medium containing ZT 1.0 mg/L+TDZ 2.0 mg/L,dark treatment for 0 d,resulted in the 34.4% of shoot regeneration,while average shoots numbers per explant were 2.1±0.3.Inoculated the plantlets on 1/2MS(1/2N)+IBA 1.0 mg/L for 5 d,then transplanted them on 1/2MS(1/2N)+1 g/L activated carbon for 20 d.Rooting of date plum reached 58.14% and the average number of adventitious roots was 4.