ISHS Acta Horticulturae 212: Symposium on In Vitro Problems Related to Mass Propagation of Horticultural Plants
ADVANCES IN THE MICROPROPAGATION OF AVOCADO (PERSEA AMERICANA MILL.) |
| Author: | P. A. Cooper |
| Abstract:
Preliminary work has resulted in the development of a procedure for micropropagation of explants from 1 to 4-year old avocado (Persea americana Mill.) seedlings. Shoot growth and multiplication were achieved on Woody Plant Medium minerals and vitamins (1) supplemented with 30 g/l sucrose, 7 g/l agar and 1.0 mg/l benzyladenine (BA) for initiation, or 0.3 mg/l BA and 0.1 mg/l indole butyric acid for multiplication and elongation. Optimal rooting was obtained in vivo. In vitro grown shoots were given a 1-sec dip in an aqueous 3000 mg/l naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) solution, placed directly into a pumice:peat mix (50:50 v/v) under a high humidity tent, with bottom heat of 26°C and intermittent mist (2 sec/30 min). Within 4 weeks, 90–100% rooting was obtained. Subsequent survival and growth of plantlets was good. Research on methods for micropropagation of the adult cultivar Duke 7 was less successful. Shoots initiated from nodal cuttings grew well for 6 months, but their growth rate subsequently declined. After 6 months shoots exhibited symptoms of nutrient imbalance. | |
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) | |
