EFFICIENT IN VITRO PROPAGATION OF RHODODENDRON 'KEN JANE CK'

摘要

Tissue culture is frequently used in plant propagation, especially in species recalcitrant to ex vitro rooting. One such example is Rhododendron sp., whose numerous cultivars show poor rooting when propagated by stem cuttings, or their rooting period is uneconomically long. This study aimed to develop an efficient medium for the micropropagation of an attractive but recalcitrant Rhododendron 'Ken Janeck'. The medium for multiplication phase was that of Anderson (AN) supplemented with 2-isopentenyladenine (2iP), zeatin (Zea), or thidiazuron (TDZ). Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) was added to AN medium to stimulate rooting. Zeatin or 2iP in a concentration of 1 mg l(-1) improved it while concomitantly increasing the chlorophyll and total soluble sugar contents. The catalase activity also increased while that of peroxidase decreased. The highest level of hydrogen peroxide was in explants on the medium supplemented with TDZ. The IBA at 2 mg l(-1 )improved rooting and increased root length, however, the highest numbers of roots developed in the presence of 4 mg l(-1) IBA.