In vitro flowering of green and albino Dendrocalamus latiflorus

To propagate Dendrocalamus latiflorus, we used in vivo inflorescences to produce calli on Murashige and Skoog basal (MS) medium supplemented with 3 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 2 mg/l kinetin, 250 mg/l polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), and 1% coconut milk. Multiple shoots were generated on MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/l thidiazuron (TDZ). The green plantlets were successfully transferred to soil. Multiple albino shoots also regenerated and were able to proliferate on medium containing cytokinins, especially TDZ. Albino multiple shoots rooted in medium containing α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), and callus formation was observed in the presence of 2,4-D and picloram. Green and albino regenerates flowered after 8 months of subculture. The flowering ratio increased to 44% after three treatments in medium containing 1 mg/l TDZ. Morphological observations revealed that the in vitro green and albino flower organs were normal. However, pollen derived from the in vitro flowers of both the green and albino plants were sterile.     

Rapid Micropropagation of Edible Bamboo Dendrocalamus asper

Abstract

Micropropagation protocols for Dendrocalamus asper using nodal shoots and seeds culture are described. Multiple shoots were induced through forced axillary branching. Ninety-five percent of the nodal shoot explants taken from juvenile primary and lateral branches, produced multiple shoots through axillary buds activation within 2 to 8 weeks on Murashige & Skoog's (MS) medium supplemented with 0.1-15 mg/l benzyladenine (BA). The cultured seeds also produced multiple shoots (1-20) within 6 weeks on this medium. The multiple shoot differentiation was influenced by the concentration of BA in the medium. The in vitro generated shoots were excised and subculture on MS + 3.0 mg/l BAP for further shoot multiplication. Fifteen to 20 fold rate of shoot multiplication was achieved by regular subculturing. These shoots were multiplied for more than 3 years without loss of vigor. Ninety-five percent of the shoots were rooted, when propagules (each consisting of cluster of 3 shoots) were transferred on to MS medium with 3.0 mg/l NAA or 10 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid (IBA).

To date, 18,000 plants (through axillary bud initiated from nodal ex-plants) and 6,000 plants from seed culture have been hardened and acclimatized. 12,000 plants have been field transferred.     

Preservation of Juniperus thurifera L.:a rare endangered species in Algeria through in vitro regeneration

Juniperus thurifera L.is an endemic Cupres saceae from the Aure`s Mountains of north eastern Algeria and endangered,in part,due to the scarcity of viable seeds It is threatened by other abiotic factors and the lack of an effective management strategy will increase its risk o extinction.The dearth of information on its in vitro regeneration impedes its application in forest managemen programs.We therefore developed a micropropagation protocol using microcuttings with auxiliary buds.Cuttings were grown on different combinations of media supplemented with plant growth regulators at different concentrations.The highest number of shoots and branches regenerated from original shoots was obtained on Woody Plant Medium(WPM)supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine(BAP)(0.5 mg L^-1)and 2,4-dichlorophe noxyacetic acid(2,4-D)(0.25 mg L^-1).The best elongation of shoots was achieved with WPM supplemented with0.5 mg L^-1of BAP and 0.25 or 1 mg L^-1 of 2,4-D.On the second subculture,shoots had a higher number of branches than those of the first.The highest rooting rate,38.8%,was obtained with shoots cultured in 1/2 Murashige and Skoog(MS)medium supplemented with 5.0 mg L^-1each of indol-3-butyric(IBA)and naphthalene acetic acid(NAA).Similarly,the highest root numbers and lengths were produced on 1/2 MS medium supplemented with IBA and NAA(5.0 mg L^-1each).During transfer to acclimatization,rates of plant losses of 50% occurred.The second part of the experiment showed that the best shoot callusing was on WPM supplemented with BAP and 2,4-D,with either the combination 0.5+0.25 or 0.25+0.25 mg L^-1.The results of this research provide a starting point for further studies on in vitro regeneration of J.thurifera for the sustainable management of its unique ecosystem in the Mediterranean basin.     

In vitro plantlet regeneration from Australian Red Cedar (Toona ciliata,Meliaceae)

In vitro regeneration of complete plants from nodal single-bud segments of 2-year-old Australian Cedar (Toona ciliata) trees were obtained under defined nutritional and environmental conditions. Explants were dissected from plants obtained by germination of seeds and growth in pots in a greenhouse. The best medium for shoot regeneration was that of Murashige and Skoog at 1/4 strength with 3% sucrose (1/4 MS), supplemented with 0.1 mg/l IBA and 0.5 mg/l BAP. Rooting of regenerated shoots was observed in MS medium with 0.1 mg/l IBA. Using mature tree material was more difficult. Forced flushing was used to induce shoot development on branches of a 10-year-old tree. Nodal segments of these epicormic shoots formed shoots in vitro on 1/4 MS + 0.01 mg/l IBA + 5 mg/l BAP, but rooting was never observed.     

Stimulation of in vitro organogenesis from epicotyl explants and successive micropropagation round in Cassia angustifolia Vahl.: an important source of sennosides

This report describes a protocol for the in vitro shoot induction and plant regeneration from epicotyl explants of Cassia angustifolia on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 6-benzyladenine (BA), Kinetin and 2-iP (0.5–10.0 μM). MS medium supplemented with BA (5.0 μM) was the most effective in inducing adventitious shoots and growth. The highest rate of shoot multiplication was achieved on MS medium supplemented with BA (5.0 μM) and Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA, 1.0 μM). The nodal segments excised from the shoots regenerated from BA (5.0 μM) and IAA (1.0 μM) were used as explants for next three round of micropropagation. The number of shoots significantly increased at successive round of micropropagation. For rooting, MS medium supplemented with 2.0 μM indole-3-butyric acid proved to be better than that supplemented with IAA or α-naphthalene acetic acid. The in vitro raised plantlets with well developed shoot and roots were successfully established in earthen pots containing garden soil and were grown in greenhouse. About 52 plants (85 %) survived out of 60 plants transferred in garden soil.     

Plantlet regeneration from leaf protoplasts ofPopulus euphratica

Protoplasts were isolated from the leaves of sterile plants ofPopulus euphratica Oliv. by using 1% Cellulase “Onozuka” RS and 0.25% Pectolyase Y-23 in 0.6m of mannitol solution. Protoplasts were cultured in modified Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium which contained no ammonium ions but was supplemented with BAP (6-benzylaminopurine), 2,4-D (2,4- dichlorophenoxy-acetic acid), and 1% sucrose at the cell density of 9×10⁴/ml. Cell divisions occurred in every culture medium, especially in the medium containing 0.5 mg/l of BAP and 0.1 mg/l of 2,4-D, in which callus was successfully induced by successive culture through cell cluster formation. Shoots were regenerated from the callus, and their growth was enhanced on 1/2 MS medium containing 0.8 mg/l of BAP. Finally, shoots were rooted and plantlets were regenerated on 1/2 MS medium without a hormone. A part of this paper was presented at the 106th Annual Meeting of the Jpn. For. Soc. (1995).     

Micropropagation of a mature colchicine-polyploid and irradiation-mutant of Betula pendula Roth

Tetraploid plantlets were regenerated from cultured apical and axillary buds of a 23-year-old colchicine-polyploid and irradiation-mutant Betula pendula Roth tree. Bud explants were grown on modified Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 2.0 mg l(-1) benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.01 mg l(-1) 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The medium allowed both induction of adventitious buds and development of shoots. The cut ends of new shoots produced new buds and shoots during a 4-week culture period. The micropropagated shoots were rooted on modified Murashige and Skoog medium containing 0.1 mg l(-1) NAA as the sole growth regulator. Plantlets were transferred to a peat/soil mixture (1:1) in the greenhouse, acclimated and then transplanted to a cold frame. The regenerated plantlets had a tetraploid chromosome set (4n = 56) and an altered leaf morphology typical of colchicine-polyploid birches. The leaves were hypertrophied and asymmetrical, with curly leaf margins. The mutant nature of the parent tree was also evident in the light-green color of the leaves of the plantlets.     

In vitro rooting and early greenhouse growth of micropropagated Paulownia elongata shoots

Experiments focused on improving methods for rooting micropropagated Paulownia elongata shoots and enhancing the quality of plants grown from rooted shoots transferred to the greenhouse. Micropropagated shoots rooted on basal Murashige and Skoog medium, but inclusion of 0.2 mg/l naphthaleneacetic acid and 0.4 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid during a 10-day rooting treatment resulted in a shorter rooting time, a greater number of roots per shoot, and shorter roots that were more easily manipulated during transfer to the greenhouse. Shoots with a greater initial height had greater rooting success than short shoots. Shoots from 1.1 to 2.0 cm in height were preferable to taller shoots because: (1) less time is required to produce them, (2) their smaller leaf size makes them easier to handle, (3) they root with about the same frequency, (4) rooted shoots are more easily transferred to the greenhouse, and (5) once in the greenhouse they attain a height that is indistinguishable from shoots that were classified as very tall at the start of the rooting process. Inclusion of sucrose in the rooting medium promoted rooting as compared to shoots rooted without sucrose. Of the fertilizer treatments applied to plants newly transferred to the greenhouse, 17-17-17 (N-P-K) and 0-44-0 each applied at 1 g/l with each watering resulted in the highest portion of plant fresh mass allocated to roots (49%).     

“102”杨茎尖培养与植株再生

“102”杨[(Populus tomentosa×P.bolleana)×P.tomentosa]为优良杂种杨。用常规无性繁殖方法育苗均未成功。自1986年起试用茎尖组织培养,现已获得一批再生植株,并移植大田成苗。试验以Ms培养基为基础,分别摸索出适于“102”杨茎尖组织培养的诱导培养基(附加激素为6—BA0.3,1.0mg/l或KT0.3,1.0。Mg/l分别与NAA0.05mg/l配伍)、芽增殖培养基(附加激素6—BA0.3mg/l)和生根培养基(用1/2Ms培养基,蔗糖15g/l,附加NAA0.02mg/l)。     

In vitro shoot development ofEucalyptus citriodora on Rockwool in the film culture vessel under CO2 enrichment

An efficient system for growingin vitro plantlets ofEucalyptus citriodora Hook was developed. In the conventional closed system of culture with 2% sugar-containing gellan gum Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.02 mg/l indole-3-isobutyric acid, a serious defoliation of shoots was observed after three weeks. In contrast, plantlets grown on the sugar-free MS medium in the aerated bottle under 3,000 ppm CO₂ enriched condition did not show any defoliation. A marked enhanced growth of plantlets and no defoliation were observed on rockwool with the sugar-free liquid MS medium in the “Culture Pack”, made of fluorocarbon polymer film, under CO₂ enriched condition. CO₂ enrichment for this sugar-free “Culture Pack”-Rockwool system was also found to contribute to an improved growth of the plants in acclimatization. A part of this paper was presented at the 106th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Forestry Society (1995).     

Shoot multiplication of Syringa reticulata var. mandshurica from in vitro cultured seedlings

We developed a shoot multiplication protocol for Syringa reticulata Blume var. mandshurica Hara from in vitro cultured seedlings that derived from in vitro germinated seeds. The shoots could be induced on Murashige and Skoog(MS) medium with proper plant growth regulator combinations of 6-benzylaminopurine(BA) and indole-3-butyric acid(IBA). The better medium for shoot multiplication and growth was MS + 5 mg L~(-1)BA +0.5 mg L~(-1)IBA + 20 g L~(-1)sucrose +7 g L~(-1)agar, and the corresponding shoot induction rate was 75 %. The plantlets grew well after rooting on 1/2MS medium(macro-elements of MS medium are at half-strength) supplemented with 1 mg L~(-1)IBA, and the survival percentage was 80 % at 16 weeks after transplanting.     

An Efficient Micropropagation Protocol for High-Frequency Plantlet Regeneration from Liquid Culture of Nodal Tissues in a Medicinal Plant,Turnera ulmifolia L.

A highly efficient, stable, and cost-effective micropropagation protocol for the conservation of a medicinal plant Turnera ulmifolia L. was established from nodal tissues via multiple axillary shoot proliferation on using Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) liquid nutrient medium. To begin with, nodal explants were placed on agar gelled medium amended with 2.0 mg L^?1 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.1 mg L^?1 indole-3 acetic acid (IAA) for shoot induction. Subsequently, elongation of regenerated shoots could be possible on liquid MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg L^?1 BAP and Kin (kinetin) each along with 0.1 mg L^?1 IAA where high frequency of regeneration in terms of number of shoots (47.2 shoots/explant) was achieved. Furthermore, long and healthy shoots (4?5 cm in length) were rooted on agar gelled half-strength of MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg L^?1 indole-3 butyric acid (IBA). Finally, in vitro regenerated plantlets were gradually acclimatized in the greenhouse and transferred to the field successfully.     

Rosmarinic acid content and RAPD analysis of in vitro regenerated basil (Ocimum americanum) plants

Various in vitro cultures were established from shoot tips of Ocimum americanum seedlings. Rosmarinic acid content of the in vitro produced plants as well as parent plant were determined by HPLC analysis and subjected to RAPD analysis. MS medium with BA at a concentration of 1 mg/l and 0.25 mg/l IAA supports maximum rosmarinic acid production in plants produced from cultures grown on that medium. RAPD analysis revealed 64 scorable bands from four primers, including six polymorphic bands. The band pattern revealed differences between the parent plant and the in vitro regenerated plants. Certain band changes were found in O. americanum plants regenerated in vitro, suggesting the existence of genetic variation that might affect the biochemical synthesis of plants derived from tissue culture.     

Regeneration and multiplication of Albizia procera Benth. through organogenesis

Vegetative propagation techniques are recognized as indispensable tools for mass multiplication of important multipurpose trees adopted in different agroforestry systems. Albizia procera, one among important species, is difficult to propagate commercially either by stem / root cuttings or layering. A study was undertaken to develop procedure for its in vitro regeneration through organogenesis. Explants collected from 15±2 yr-old mature plus trees and from 15 days old juvenile seedlings were regenerated with exogenous application of different hormones. Epicotyl and hypocotyl explants excised from juvenile seedlings showed higher callusing than axillary bud and shoot tip explants derived from mature trees. Benzylaminopurine (BA) at 3 μg/l was most effective, which induced hundred percent callusing in epicotyl and hypocotyl explants in 1/2 Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. Callus originated from axillary buds and apical shoot tips of mature trees failed to form organs, however callus derived from epicotyl and hypocotyl explants proliferated and formed de novo shoots and leaflets. A concentration of 3 μg/l of BA was found effective for shoot proliferation. Shoots grew vigorously in 2 μg/l gibberellic acid (GA₃) treatment and rooted in 1/2 MS medium supplemented with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Rooting was most successful on medium supplemented with 6 μg/l IBA alone on which 93.3% of the shoots formed roots. Sand or vermiculite supplemented with 4 ml of yoshida solution proved as best hardening media, which recorded 70-80% survival of plantlets. One year old tissue culture raised plants had comparatively more height, collar diameter, biomass, and root shoot ratio than plants raised from cuttings and seeds of the same age. The procedures enumerated provide a basis for the development of in vitro techniques for rapid multiplication of A. procera. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Direct shoot bud regeneration from shoot tip explants of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Enicostema axillare</Emphasis>: an important medicinal plant

An efficient protocol has been developed for in vitro propagation of Enicostema axillare using shoot tip explants. The shoot tip explants were cultured on MS medium supplemented with various combinations of (BAP, KIN) and (NAA/IAA & IBA) in different concentrations between 0.5 and 2.0 mg/l for multiple shoot bud induction. The highest percent of (98.51 %) was observed at 1.0 mg/l BAP in combination with 0.2 mg/l KIN while maximum number of shoot buds (8.41 shoots/explant) was noticed on MS medium containing 1.0 mg/l BAP and 0.2 mg/l KIN combination. The highest frequency (90.82 %) of multiple shoot bud regeneration was observed at 1.0 mg/l BAP and 0.5 mg/l IBA with 15.12 ± 2.12 shoots/explants. The regenerated multiple shoots were transferred to half-strength MS medium augmented with different concentration of 0.5–2.5 mg/l IBA for rooting. Among the different concentrations of IBA tested, maximum percentage of rooting (100 %) was observed in MS medium augmented with 1.5 mg/l IBA. The rooted plantlets were successfully transferred into plastic cups containing soil and sand in the ratio of 1:1. Subsequently established in the field conditions with 90 % of survival rate. The protocol developed can be utilized for both large scale plant production and conservation of germplasm of this species. The described method can be successfully employed for large-scale multiplication and in vitro conservation as well as production of secondary metabolites of E. axillare.     

爬行卫矛下胚轴高频离体再生体系的建立(英文)

In this paper,a protocol for efficient shoot regeneration was successfully developed from hypocotyl explants of Euonymus fortunei var.radicans.Some factors that influenced shoot regeneration such as different combinations of plant growth regulators,types of medium and inoculation ways were studied in order to establish an efficient plant regeneration for transformation.The results showed that hypocotyl explants wero horizontally cultured on a basic medium composed of MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg·L-1 BAP and 0.01 mg·L-1 NAA for induction and development of adventidous shoots.Ninety-four percent of regeneration frequency and 5.1 shoots per explants were obtmned after 30 days of culture.Regenerated shootsproliferated efficiently on a shoot multiplication medium consisting of MS medium containing 1.0 mg·L-1 BAP and 0.1 mg·L-1 NAA.Microshoots were rooted on a rooting medium made up of MS medium enriched with O.5 mg·L-1 IBA and O.5 mg·L-1IAA.After hardening,90% of plants were successfully established under greenhouse conditions.Histological observation revealed that shoot primordium originated from subepidermal cells of hypocotyl explants and directly developed into adventitious shoots without caHus formation.     

Establishment of a high-frequency regeneration system in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cerasus humilis</Emphasis>, an important economic shrub

Cerasus humilis is a species of small, perennial, drought-resistant and multipurpose deciduous shrub grown in arid and semi-arid conditions in northern China. In this study, an efficient protocol for the rapid micropropagation of C. humilis has been standardized using stem and/or leaf explants. Direct multiple shoot induction was observed when the stem explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different plant growth regulators. The highest shoot induction was obtained when stem explants from adult trees were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg L^?1 6-benzyladenine (6-BA) and 0.9 mg L^?1 α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The leaf and stem explants cultured on MS medium with 1.0 mg L^?1 6-BA and 0.6 mg L^?1 NAA, and 0.5 mg L^?1 6-BA and 0.8 mg L^?1 NAA, respectively, produced the highest induction frequency of callus. Maximum proliferation of callus was observed on MS medium containing a combination of 0.5 mg L^?1 6-BA with 0.6 mg L^?1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-d). Optimal shoots differentiated from callus were obtained on MS medium supplemented with 5.0mg L^?1 6-BA and 0.9 mg L^?1 NAA. In vitro rooting was achieved on half-strength (1/2) MS medium containing 0.5 mg L^?1 NAA. Rooted plantlets were hardened under control conditions and successfully acclimatized under field conditions.     

Micropropagation of Selected Genotype of Aloe vera L.—An Ancient Plant for Modern Industry

Aloe vera Linn. (Syn. Aloe barbadensis Mill; Gwar-patha in Hindi) belongs to family Liliaceae. The plant, for its medicinal properties, has commercial value. Some of the genotypes of Aloe vera are consumed as a vegetable and processed to make curry and other edible products. We report here on the development of an efficient method for rapid clonal propagation by shoot proliferation from axillary meristem(s) of selected germplasm of Aloe vera. Explants were pretreated with 0.1% aqueous solution of both streptomycin and bavistin separately, each for 15 min. These were surface sterilized with 0.1% aqueous solution of mercuric chloride (HgCl₂) for 4–5 min and washed several times with autoclaved water. These were kept in a chilled, sterile antioxidant (200.0 mg L^?1 of ascorbic acid, 50.0 mg L^?1 of citric acid, and 25.0 mg L^?1 of polyvinylpyrrolidone; PVP) solution and cultured on semi-solid Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium. The bud explants produced multiple (10.3 ± 0.675/explant) shoots on MS medium containing 13.32 μM of 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 100.0 mg L^?1 of ascorbic acid, 50.0 mg L^?1 each of citric acid and PVP, with 25.0 mg L^?1 each of arginine and adenine sulphate as additives. The shoots were further multiplied by (a) repeated transfer to fresh MS medium with additives + 13.32 μM BAP, and (b) subculturing on MS medium with a lower (4.44 μM) concentration of BAP. On MS medium containing 4.44 μM of BAP and additives, a maximum number (27.8 ± 0.63) of shoots were produced. In liquid MS medium with 4.44 μM of BAP, the rate of shoot multiplication increased and the vigor of the shoots improved. One hundred percent of the cloned shoots rooted under in vitro conditions on hormone-free half-strength MS salts containing 200.0 mg L^?1 of activated charcoal at 32 ± 2°C. The cloned shoots treated with 2.46 mM of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or 2.473 mM of β-naphthoxyacetic acid (NOA) for 5 min rooted under ex vitro conditions in the greenhouse. The rooted plants were hardened in the greenhouse and stored under an agro-net house. The cloned plants were transferred under different field conditions at various sites in Western Rajasthan. These plants grew normally. The higher rate of shoot multiplication and easier approach of direct rooting and hardening make this method superior to the methods previously reported on cloning/tissue culture of Aloe species. From a single shoot bud, approximately 5000 plants can be produced within 180 days.     

Shoot proliferation and callus regeneration from nodular buds of Drepanostachyum luodianense

This research reports on an efficient shoot proliferation and callus regeneration system for bamboo.Young, semi-lignified branches with one lateral bud from Drepanostachyum luodianense(Yi et R. S. Wang) Keng f.were used as explants. Disinfection with 0.1% HgCl_2 for 8 min was the optimum treatment and the best medium for bud initiation was Murashige and Skoog(MS) medium containing 3.0 mg L~(-1)6-benzyladenine(BA). Multiple shoots were induced from nodal shoot segments on MS medium containing 5.0 mg L~(-1) BA, 0.5 mg L~(-1) kinetin(Kin), and 1.0 mg L~(-1) naphthaleneacetic acid(NAA). The highest frequency of callus formation(65.6%) was on MS medium containing 4.0 mg L~(-1)2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid(2, 4-D), 0.5 mg L~(-1) NAA, and 0.1 mg L~(-1) thidiazuron(TDZ). The optimum medium for callus proliferation was MS medium with 4 mg L~(-1)2,4-D, 0.5 mg L~(-1) TDZ and 0.5 mg L~(-1) NAA, and the optimum hormone combination was 4 mg L~(-1) BA ? 0.5 mg L~(-1) NAA for callus redifferentiation(up to 85.6%). A 100% rooting was achieved on MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg L~(-1) NAA and 0.5 mg L~(-1)3-indole butyric acid(IBA). Rooted plantlets were acclimatized in a greenhouse in humus soil ? perlite(1:1) substrate. These micropropagated callus induction and regeneration systems for bamboo will be useful for genetic engineering and multiplication.     

Factors affecting in vitro propagation of Quercus robur L

Explants from five clones of Quercus robur (three of juvenile origin and two from adult trees) were cultured on Gresshoff and Doy medium supplemented with 0.2 mg l(-1) 6-benzylaminopurine. Shoot proliferation from apical and nodal segments was influenced by both clone and type of explant. To increase the efficiency of the propagation procedure, donor shoots (20-25 mm in length and with 2 mm removed from the tip) were recultured at 4-week intervals, and the newly formed shoots harvested before each transfer. Under this regime, the multiplication coefficient (proportion of explants forming axillary shoots multiplied by the mean number of new 8-mm stem segments per explant) was greatest for the second crop and declined sharply by the fourth or fifth crop, in three of the four clones tested. Successive additions of fresh liquid medium to old cultures was much less effective than transfer to fresh medium in promoting axillary shoot production. Elongation of shoots before rooting was increased significantly (P < 0.05) in one of two clones tested by transfer to a medium containing either 0.1 or 1.0 mg l(-1) of zeatin. Addition of fresh liquid medium containing zeatin to old cultures failed to improve shoot elongation or axillary shoot production. However, treatment for 15 days with liquid medium containing 0.1 or 1.0 mg l(-1) indol-3-yl-acetic acid increased subsequent rooting.