In vitro studies of adventitious shoot formation in Pinus contorta

Abstract

Isolated embryos of Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud, were induced to form adventitious buds on a cytokinin-supplemented medium. Further development of the buds required transfer to a cytokininless medium. Both bud induction and development were stimulated by a dilution of the basal culture medium and best growth was obtained if the buds were isolated from the original tissue when stem elongation had started. The growth of these isolated adventitious shoots was further stimulated by adding activated charcoal to the diluted medium. A small percentage of the shoots have been rooted. The capacity for bud formation varied among seeds collected from different regions of British Columbia. This method for induction of adventitious buds on embryos was also applicable to explants of young seedlings.