Effects of exogenous diamines on the interaction between ectomycorrhizal fungi and adventitious root formation in Scots pine in vitro

Production of free and conjugated polyamines by two ectomycorrhizal fungi, Pisolithus tinctorius (Pers.) Coker and Couch and Paxillus involutus (Batsch) Fr., was studied in vitro. Spermidine was the main polyamine in the mycelium of both fungi. Paxillus involutus also produced large amounts of the diamine putrescine, whereas Pisolithus tinctorius contained traces of the diamine cadaverine and released into the culture medium an unknown compound probably related to cadaverine or N-methylputrescine. Both fungi accelerated adventitious root formation and increased subsequent root growth of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) hypocotyl cuttings in vitro. Exogenous cadaverine enhanced rooting caused by Pisolithus tinctorius and also promoted mycorrhiza formation by the fungus. Putrescine and Paxillus involutus had a synergistic effect on root initiation, but not on subsequent root growth. We conclude that specific diamines may be involved in the interaction between ectomycorrhizal fungi and adventitious root formation in Scots pine, and that the effects of specific exogenous polyamines are dependent on the fungal strain and its ability to produce these compounds. The finding that Paxillus involutus enhanced rooting and root growth without mycorrhiza formation indicates that fungal-induced rooting is not necessarily related to visible mycorrhiza formation.     

Light sources with different spectra affect root and mycorrhiza formation in Scots pine in vitro

We studied the effects of broad-spectrum light quality on the interaction between the ectomycorrhizal fungus Pisolithus tinctorius (Pers.) Coker and Couch and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings and hypocotyl cuttings cultured in vitro. The light sources were cool white (CW), warm white (WW) and red-rich daylight (RD) fluorescent lamps. Inoculation with P. tinctorius enhanced adventitious root formation of the cuttings in all light treatments. Rooting of the inoculated cuttings was highest in WW light (89%), followed by CW (73%) and RD light (66%). During 6 weeks of in vitro culture, rooted cuttings formed only a few lateral roots. The fungus grew over lateral roots, but the Hartig net was absent in all light treatments. In non-inoculated cuttings, neither root formation nor subsequent root growth was affected by light quality. In the seedling experiment, inoculation in the WW treatment resulted in a significantly (P < 0.05) greater number of lateral roots than inoculation in the RD treatment. The percentage of lateral roots covered with fungal hyphae was also highest in WW light (62%), followed by CW (50%) and RD (27%) light. A similar pattern was observed in the intensity of Hartig net formation. We conclude that effects of broad-spectrum light quality on the ectomycorrhizal fungus-root interaction are dependent on the developmental stage of the root.     

Effects of cutting types and hormonal concentration on vegetative propagation of Zanthoxylum armatum in Garhwal Himalaya,India

Experiments were carried out to define the effects of hormonal concentrations on semi-hard wood(SHW) and hard-wood(HW) branch cuttings of the Z.armatum. SHW and HW cuttings were collected in the month of March. The SHW and HW cuttings were treated with different concentration of indole-3-acetic acid and indole-3-butyric acid(IAA and IBA) and placed in vermiculite rooting medium for 90 days under 1-min misting after 10 min. Sprouting, rooting percentage, sprout number, sprout length, root number, and length were measured.The highest rooting and sprouting rate, 64.0 %, was obtained at the 0.3 % IBA treatment in the SHW cuttings.Similarly sprout length and number of roots per cutting were also higher at the 0.3 % IBA treatment in the SHW cuttings. The number of shoots per cutting was higher at the 0.3 % IAA treatment in the SHW cuttings. Root length per cutting was higher in 0.4 % IBA treatment in the SHW cuttings. The results indicated that 0.3 and 0.4 % IBA treatment produce higher rooting percentages as well as the number of roots and their length in SHW cuttings. The HW cuttings produced maximum rate of 18.0 % rooting in0.5 % IBA treatment. The control set and lower concentrations of IBA and IAA completely failed to root in the mist chamber.     

Comparative effects of auxin transport inhibitors on rhizogenesis and mycorrhizal establishment of spruce seedlings inoculated with Laccaria bicolor

We compared the effects of two auxin transport inhibitors (2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA) and 1-N-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA)) on rhizogenesis and mycorrhizal establishment of Picea abies L. (Karst.) seedlings inoculated with Laccaria bicolor S238N (Maire) Orton. Inoculation of seedlings with L. bicolor under in vitro conditions strongly increased host root and shoot growth. Although TIBA had no effect on taproot growth, NPA decreased taproot growth and deformed the root apex into a globular shape in both non-inoculated seedlings and seedlings inoculated with L. bicolor. Inoculation with L. bicolor strongly increased lateral rhizogenesis of the seedlings, and application of 100 microM indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) partially reproduced this effect. Although TIBA completely inhibited the stimulatory effect of L. bicolor on lateral root formation, NPA inhibited it only partially. Both TIBA and NPA counteracted the effect of exogenous IAA on lateral rhizogenesis. Inoculation with L. bicolor significantly increased shoot growth and seedling dry biomass, whereas application of exogenous IAA had no effect on either parameter. There was no effect of NPA on shoot growth and biomass production. The presence of TIBA completely prevented the development of ectomycorrhizal structures (mantle and Hartig net). In the presence of NPA, the number of seedlings colonized by the fungus was reduced and the degree of development of ectomycorrhizal structures was variable, but not completely prevented. In medium lacking tryptophan, neither TIBA nor NPA inhibited the release of IAA produced by L. bicolor in pure culture. When 100 microM tryptophan was added to the medium, TIBA significantly increased the amount of IAA released by the fungus, whereas NPA had no significant effect. We conclude that fungal IAA plays an important role in plant rhizogenesis and in the establishment of ectomycorrhizal symbiosis.     

In vitro effects of Laccaria bicolor S238 N and Pseudomonas fluorescens strain BBc6 on rooting of de-rooted shoot hypocotyls of Norway spruce

The ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria bicolor S238 N and the bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens BBc6 were used separately and in combination to induce in vitro rooting of de-rooted shoot hypocotyls of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.). When the culture medium was supplemented with tryptophan, a precursor of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) synthesis, the presence of the ectomycorrhizal fungus increased the percentage of hypocotyls forming roots; furthermore, both the fungal and bacterial inoculations enhanced the number of roots formed per rooted hypocotyl. Similar results were obtained by adding exogenous IAA (5 and 10 &mgr;M) to the rooting medium. After the rooting phase, the fungal inoculation enhanced adventitious root elongation and branching as well as the aerial growth of the cuttings. Pseudomonas fluorescens BBc6 had no effect on these parameters. The production of IAA by pure cultures of L. bicolor S238 N and P. fluorescens BBc6 was estimated by immunochemical analysis using specific anti-IAA antibodies. Both L. bicolor S238 N and P. fluorescens BBc6 synthesized IAA in pure culture and synthesis was stimulated in the presence of tryptophan. Thus, the effect of the fungus in stimulating adventitious root formation and subsequent elongation and branching can be attributed, at least partially, to the synthesis of IAA by the fungus. The finding that P. fluorescens BBc6 had no effect on root elongation and branching although it produced IAA suggests that either IAA was not the only parameter involved in the stimulation of these processes by L. bicolor S238 N or the bacterium produced other compounds that counteracted the stimulatory effects of IAA on root elongation and branching.     

Boron and ectomycorrhizal influences on indole-3-acetic acid levels and indole-3-acetic acid oxidase and peroxidase activities of Pinus echinata Mill. roots

The level of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.) roots was increased by inoculation with the ectomycorrhizal fungus Pisolithus tinctorius (Pers.) Coker and Couch. Indole-3-acetic acid oxidase activity was also increased suggesting that the increased level of IAA was the result of increased synthesis. Boron fertilization reduced IAA levels in roots inoculated with P. tinctorius but not in noninoculated roots.     

Genetic variation in rooting ability of loblolly pine cuttings: effects of auxin and family on rooting by hypocotyl cuttings

After about 20 days, hypocotyl cuttings from 20-day-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) seedlings rooted easily in the presence of the auxin indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), with roots forming directly from xylem parenchyma. In contrast, woody cuttings from 1-2-year-old hedged seedlings formed roots indirectly from callus tissue in 60-90 days, but IBA had little effect on rooting. Variation in rooting among hypocotyls from both half- and full-sib families was highly significant in response to IBA, and rooting did not occur within 20 days unless IBA was applied. Hypocotyls from poor rooting families tended to produce fewer roots per cutting than hypocotyls from good rooting families. Rooting by woody cuttings and hypocotyl cuttings from the same nine full-sib families was weakly correlated, raising the possibility that at least some common genetically controlled processes were affecting rooting by both types of cutting. The phytotropin N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA), supplied at 1 micro M with 10 micro M IBA, significantly inhibited rooting by hypocotyl cuttings from both good and poor rooting families, but there was no significant family x treatment interaction. Family variation in rooting ability may be a function of the frequency of occurrence of auxin-responsive cells in the hypocotyls.     

Effects of IBA on the rooting of branch cuttings of Chinese jujube (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zizyphus jujuba</Emphasis> Mill.) and changes to nutrients and endogenous hormones

‘Zhongqiusucui’ jujube secondary shoots were treated with 3-indolebutyric acid (IBA) at three concentrations, 500, 1000 and 1500 mg/L. Results show that IBA could significantly enhance rooting and root characteristics of cuttings and were best with IBA at 1500 mg/L. In the rooting process, the formation of adventitious roots was related to the consumption and accumulation of nutrients (soluble sugars and proteins) and the changes in endogenous hormones in phloem, leaf tips and leaf bases. The rooting of cuttings had a positive correlation with the consumption of soluble sugars during the period of callus formation and with the accumulation of soluble sugars during adventitious root formation and growth. Rooting was positively related to the breakdown of soluble proteins in the phloem when the callus formed, and had a positive correlation with its accumulation during adventitious root formation and growth. Leaf tips and leaf bases showed a reverse trend in changes of soluble protein. However, together with the phloem, leaf tips and leaf bases regulated and controlled the formation and development of adventitious roots. The main activities of soluble proteins exist in the leaf tips as this was the main source of soluble proteins. The relation between rooting and IAA (indole-3-acetic acid) content in phloem was positive and thus a high concentration of IAA could benefit the induction and formation of adventitious roots. However, rooting was negatively related with ABA (abscisic acid) and GA (gibberellic acid) and a high concentration of both could inhibit the induction and formation of adventitious roots. Rooting had a positive correlation with phloem IAA/ABA ratios, and higher ratios could improve rooting. Low concentrations of ZR (zeatin riboside) triggered the induction of adventitious roots, while higher concentrations promoted root growth. Endogenous hormones in leaf tips and bases had an impact on rooting. The activities of endogenous hormones mainly existed in leaf tips because they play a major role in the production and consumption of IAA and its ABA content increased during rooting. The ZR in leaf tips influenced the rooting of cuttings, especially in the callus formation and rooting stage. Leaf tips were the main source of GA.     

虎榛子几种菌根苗抗旱机制的研究

选用6个外生菌根菌株为接种体,分别对2个月龄虎榛子实生苗进行接种,培养4个月菌根感染率均超过40.8%.测定各处理苗木生物量、膜透性、SOD活性、MDA含量、叶绿素含量等指标,结果表明:彩色豆马勃、土生空团菌是以提高植物组织水势、SOD活性、降低MDA含量、减轻膜伤害程度、增加根冠比等机制来增强苗木的抗旱性,从而推迟苗木的萎蔫时间与延长干旱临界致死时间;厚环粘盖牛肝菌及点柄粘盖牛肝菌是通过提高苗木SOD活性和脯氨酸含量、降低MDA含量等机制来提高苗木的抗旱性;而卷边桩菇则是通过促进苗木的生长、增强苗木的生长势、降低苗木膜伤害程度、提高SOD活性和脯氨酸浓度、降低MDA含量等多种机制提高苗木的抗旱性.     

金叶银杏硬枝扦插繁殖生根过程及其生根机制研究

【目的】研究不同生长调节剂处理对金叶银杏硬枝扦插生根率和成活率的影响,探讨金叶银杏的生根机制,为金叶银杏苗木扦插快繁技术体系的建立提供技术支持和理论指导。【方法】通过NAA和IBA处理金叶银杏硬枝插穗,检测它们对插穗的生根状态、生根指标及IBA对扦插过程中插穗皮部可溶性糖、抗氧化酶、激素含量的影响,探究金叶银杏硬枝扦插繁殖技术和生根机理。【结果】1)金叶银杏插穗愈伤组织诱导期和形成期、不定根发生期和形成期分别在插后的20~26、26~42、42~53、53~79 d。2)800 mg·L^-1 IBA和400 mg·L^-1 NAA+400 mg·L^-1IBA(混合)处理的插穗愈伤组织和不定根出现期及生根率与根数都较其他相应处理的效果好,其中生根率分别达64.4%和51.1%;不定根数分别达8.6条和9.3条。3)插穗生根过程中(500 mg·L^-1 IBA处理)基部韧皮部的SOD、PPO活性在插后40、60 d达到高峰,均比对照提前20 d达到峰值;插穗的POD活性出现上升-下降-升高的趋势,插穗可溶性糖也出现升高-下降-升高的趋势,但时间点不一致;而淀粉的含量出现下降-上升的趋势。4)生根期间插穗基部韧皮部的IAA含量出现了2个峰值和一个谷值;而ZR含量在第40天达到峰值后下降;GA含量先下降后上升;ABA含量在插后的前期高后期低,且值都低于同期对照。IAA/ABA比值在插后的第40天(愈伤组织形成期)达到谷底,后又上升(不定根形成期)。IAA/GA在插后的40~60 d内快速上升,80 d后又开始大幅下降;IAA/ZR值在扦插愈伤组织形成期(40 d)呈下降趋势,到60 d时(不定根发生期)又急剧上升到峰值。【结论】高活性的SOD和POD有利于插穗初期愈伤组织的形成(40 d),高活性的POD与PPO有利于不定根的形成(60 d)。较高的IAA含量是保证愈伤组织形成(20~40 d)的必要条件,不定根形成期(60 d)需要较高的IAA/ZR、IAA/ABA、IAA/GA比值。本研究为金叶银杏扦插繁殖技术和生根机理的研究及金叶银杏苗木的快速繁殖生产提供技术支持。     

Influence of growth hormones on adventitious root formation in semi-hardwood cuttings of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Celasturs paniculatus</Emphasis> Willd.: a contribution for rapid multiplication and conservation management

Celastrus paniculatus Willd. (Celastraceae) is an important medicinal tree valued for its seeds. Indiscriminate collection of this plant from the habitat zones has posed a serious threat to its existence in the wild, results in globally a threatened plant species. Ex situ conservation is a prioritized agenda of research for redlisted plant species. Semi-hardwood stem cuttings collected from 10 to 15 year old trees were treated with different concentrations (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 g l⁻¹) of growth hormones; indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) for positive effect on root induction. After 90 days of treatment, results were analyzed for percentage of rooting, root number and average root length per rooted cuttings. The highest rooting (57%) response with highest number of roots (~77.2) was obtained in indole-3-acetic acid at 3.0 g l⁻¹. Overall, high significant (P ≤ 0.05) rooting response was noticed in IAA treatment comparative to hormones IBA and NAA. Rooted cuttings exhibited 100% survival in the experimental field. This study reveals the propagation of semi-hardwood cuttings derived from partially matured branches is possible and it provides a basis for conservation of this threatened plant species by reducing pressure on its natural populations.     

Metabolic changes during adventitious root primordium development in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tectona grandis</Emphasis> Linn. f. (teak) cuttings as affected by age of donor plants and auxin (IBA and NAA) treatment

Aging of the donor tree decreased adventitious root formation in shoot cuttings of Tectona grandis Linn. f. (teak). Exogenous application of auxins, i.e., α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) has a significant positive effect on the percentage of rooting. The maximum percent rooting was obtained with 4,000 ppm IBA as compared to other treatment. Significant increase in root number was recorded in shoot cuttings treated with 4,000 ppm NAA. The overall rooting response was better in the treatment with IBA rather than with NAA. Further periodic samples (0, 10, 20, and 30 days) were taken to assess the total soluble sugar, starch, protein, and peroxidase (PER) activity in the rooting zone of shoot cuttings of teak during adventitious root formation. Application NAA and IBA to shoot cuttings resulted in an increase in the level of total soluble sugar, starch, protein, and PER-activity in the rooting zone. The stored carbohydrates were utilized during adventitious root formation. Hence, total soluble sugar and starch contents of cuttings, irrespective of age of donor plants, decreased with the passage of time in cuttings planted for rooting. Significant fluctuations were observed in the protein content of cuttings during the time of root induction. There was an increase in the protein content with the passage of time from the day of planting up to its 20th day, followed by a sharp decline in the protein content of cuttings at the 30th day of planting, irrespective of the age of donor plants or the treatment of cuttings with auxins. Irrespective of donor plant age, PER-activity in the cuttings increased from the day of their planting for rooting up to the 20th day, and then declined at its 30th day of planting. It was interesting to note that PER-activity remained higher at all stages in the cuttings of 2-month-old seedlings which rooted profusely as compared to the cuttings of 15- and 30-year-old donor plants those rooted poorly. This study suggested that the exogenously applied NAA and IBA at different concentration seems to activate sugar metabolism for release of energy, protein and PER-activity which are necessary for cellular division and differentiation during adventitious root primordium initiation or development in the rooting zone of shoot cuttings.     

Vegetative propagation of African Blackwood (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Dalbergia melanoxylon</Emphasis> Guill. &; Perr.): effects of age of donor plant,IBA treatment and cutting position on rooting ability of stem cuttings

A study to determine the best vegetative propagation protocol was carried out for Dalbergia melanoxylon. Natural regeneration of D. melanoxylon is limited due to poor seed viability and germination. The effects of age of donor plant, indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) treatment and cutting position on rooting of stem cuttings were investigated. The effect of age of donor plant was significant (P < 0.001) only for percent rooting, position effect was significant for all studied parameters, and IBA treatment at 300 ppm was insignificant only for percent callusing. Interactive effects of cutting position × age of donor and cutting position × IBA treatment were significant for percent rooting and root number per cuttings while interactive effect of age × IBA was significant only for percent rooting. Observed difference in rooting performance could be due to uneven distribution of root promoting and inhibiting substances with respect to age of donor plant and IBA which intensified root formation. Cuttings from juvenile donor plant performed better in all rooting parameters than mature donor plant. The highest percentages in rooting were (71.11%) and (24.42%) for cuttings from juvenile and mature donor plants, respectively. IBA treated cuttings produced higher percentage rooting, number of roots and root length than untreated cuttings which revealed a strong IBA influence on rooting ability of stem cuttings in D. melanoxylon. It was concluded that stem cuttings should be taken from juvenile donor plants and basal cutting position should be used to produce high quality planting stock material for the afforestation and conservation programme of D. melanoxylon.     

Vegetative propagation of Aesculus indica through stem cuttings treated with plant growth regulators

Cuttage propagation of Aesculus indica was tested by treatments with different concentrations of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) @ 2000, 4000 (ppm), indolebutyric acid (IBA) @ 2000, 4000 (ppm) and naphthlcetic acid (NAA) @ 2000, 4000 (ppm) in dry formulation in the Forest Nursery, Faculty of Forestry, SKUAST-K, Shalimar. The cuttings treated with IBA @ 4000 ppm and IBA @ 2000 ppm had a sprouting rate of 75% and 50%, respectively, which was significantly higher than that of control and other treatments. The highest rooting rate (50%) was recorded in the cuttings with the application of IBA @ 4000 ppm. The cuttings treated with IBA @ 2000 ppm had 25% rooting rate. All other treatments along with control (talc powder) failed to induce rooting. It was concluded that IBA @ 4000 ppm was a better-applied concentration for vegetative propagation of A. indica under Kashmir conditions.     

Vegetative propagation of Colutea arborescens L., a multipurpose leguminous shrub of semiarid climates

The vegetative propagation of the multipurpose leguminous shrub Colutea arborescens from leafless hardwood cuttings was examined. Specific attention was paid to the factors: 1) cutting origin (apical, medial or basal); 2) indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) treatment (0, 50 or 200 ppm); and 3) relative humidity of the propagation environment (high or low humidity). After 120 days, 67.6% of the C. arborescens cuttings had rooted. The rooting ability of the cuttings was significantly influenced by the cutting origin and hormonal treatment. No effects on rooting percentage were shown by the relative humidity of the propagation environment. The best rooting response (95%) was shown by basal cuttings treated with 200 ppm IBA. Cutting origin, IBA treatment and relative humidity were significantly related to the root number, longest root length and the fresh/dry biomass of roots and leaves. Under conditions of high humidity, basal cuttings treated with 200 ppm IBA gave rise to the most highly developed plants. The positive relationship between sprouting and rooting suggests that successful propagation is related to the shoot formation potential of the cutting's food reserves. These findings were used to propose an efficient method for the vegetative propagation of C. arborescens plants. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Adventitious rooting in shoot cuttings of Azadirachta indica and Pongamia pinnata

Adventitious rooting in shoot cuttings of neem (Azadirachta indica) and karanj (Pongamia pinnata) was investigated in different seasons. The influence of auxins and B-vitamins (neem only) was evaluated. Maximum rhizogenesis coincided with the emergence of new sprouts i.e. February (neem) and March (karanj). Considering both rooting percentage and root biomass, IBA was the most effective auxin tested. Compared to auxin free controls, IBA (1000 ppm in neem and 800 ppm in karanj) significantly increased adventitious rooting percentage (80 to 100 % respectively), the numbers of roots and root biomass for both species. In neem, B-vitamin treatment yielded 40–50% rooting for cuttings. This was significantly greater than rooting for controls but equivalent to IAA treatments. In neem, some of the cuttings treated with 2000–3000 ppm IBA had well developed root systems without any sprouts. In karanj, all auxin treatments promoted sprouting. The level of total soluble sugars in the rooting zone of neem and karanj was higher in non-rooted than rooted cuttings.     

不同生根剂对中国石竹扦插生根的影响

本试验以中国石竹为插穗,珍珠岩＋蛭石（1：1）为基质,分别采用吲哚乙酸（IAA）、吲哚丁酸（IBA）及萘乙酸（NAA）与两者相混的生根剂处理插穗,研究了不同生根剂对中国石竹扦插生根的影响。结果表明：用IBA＋NAA1000mg／L处理,可使插穗幼根提前形成,可促进根系生长旺盛,提高根系活力,但对可溶性糖含量无明显促进作用。     

Inoculation of micropropagated plantlets of Eucalyptus tereticornis with ectomycorrhizal fungi

Micropropagated plantlets of Eucalyptus tereticornis at the root initiation stage were inoculated in vitro with Amanita murina, Hysterangium incarceratum, Laccaria laccata, Pisolithus tinctorius (3 isolates), Scleroderma cepa and S. flavidum in order to select the most compatible ectomycorrhizal partner. H. incarceratum and the two Scleroderma species did not form mycorrhizas with E. tereticornis. Two local isolates of P. tinctorius formed significantly more mycorrhizas than the other isolates tested. Plantlets with mycorrhizas formed by one of the local isolates of P. tinctorius were transplanted to the nursery where their growth significantly exceeded that of non-mycorrhizal plants.     

Developmental stages during the rooting of in-vitro-cultured Quercus robur shoots from material of juvenile and mature origin

In-vitro-cultured shoots of clones initiated from shoots of the basal parts (BS) and the crown (C) of two mature Quercus robur L. trees were subjected to rooting experiments to relate rooting with shoot topophysical origin. The BS shoots exhibited morphologically juvenile characteristics and rooted more easily after indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) treatment than C shoots. When naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA) was applied to BS shoots, rooting capacity decreased and root emergence was delayed at least 2 days compared with shoots treated with IBA only. During the first days of the rooting process, endogenous indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) concentration was higher in C shoots than in BS shoots, regardless of whether the shoots were treated with NPA. Mitotic figures were observed in cells from the basal part of both BS and C shoots 24 h after IBA treatment. After 4 days of IBA treatment, the occurrence of histological events differed between BS shoots and C shoots. Cells of BS shoots became meristematic, giving rise to meristemoids and root primordia, whereas no differentiation of root meristemoids occurred in cells of C shoots. Thus, although adult oak material (C shoots) is capable of responding to the initial stimulus of auxin during the adventitious rooting process, the endogenous IAA concentration is not the factor limiting rooting in adult material.     

Softwood cuttings for propagation of red alder

Tests were conducted to assess rootability of red alder softwood cuttings from shoots of young trees and epicormic sprouts of mature individuals. Ortets were 3 to 34 years old, and treatments with and without indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) were compared. The extent of rooting and root vigor on the cuttings varied greatly among ortets and treatments. Among nonterminal cuttings, the best overall rooting success, with and without IBA, was obtained with cuttings of the youngest ortet. Average rooting of terminal and nonterminal cuttings of one clone were 100% and 64%, respectively. Although cuttings of some trees rooted well without IBA, the IBA treatment appeared to be generally beneficial. For all nonterminal cuttings of all clones, best results (80.0%/x) were obtained with a 10-sec dip in 2,000 or 4,000 ppm IBA. Vigorous planting stock was obtained from the rooted cuttings of all clones. Using epicormic sprouts from mature trees of proven performance will presumably allow propagation of superior trees and establishment of new plantations with improved stock.