In vitro meristem culture of juvenile and mature Sequoiadendron giganteum

A total of 7000 meristems were used in experiments to investigate the possibility of cloning Sequoiadendron giganteum Buchholz by in vitro meristem culture of juvenile (2-year-old) and mature (100-year-old) ortets. Cultures were initiated on a low-salt medium containing 0.1 mg l(-1) 1-naphthaleneacetic acid to stimulate meristematic activity. Benzylamino purine (0.01-0.5 mg l(-1)) inhibited meristematic activity, whereas gibberellic acid (0.01-0.5 mg l(-1)) had no effect on meristematic development. The mature ortet showed more specific mineral requirements and a lower capacity for cloning than the juvenile ortet. Rooted plants were obtained only from the juvenile clone. There was a marked seasonal effect on meristematic activity, especially for the mature clone, the most active material being obtained during budbreak.