MICROPROPAGATION OF MEXICAN REDBUD, CERCIS-CANADENSIS VAR MEXICANA

Mexican redbud (Cercis canadensis var. mexicana) shoot cultures were i nitiated from explants taken from both mature and juvenile stock plant s. Culture conditions affecting shoot growth and proliferation and roo ting of three clones were investigated. Shoot growth was best on media supplemented with 0.25% activated charcoal and solidified with 0.2% G elrite. Four commercially available salt formulations (Anderson's rhod odendron medium, WPM, MS, DKW) were tested for growth of shoot culture s, and Anderson's rhododendron basal salt mixture was superior. Axilla ry shoots grew from explants cultured media supplemented with a wide r ange of concentrations of benzyladenine and thidiazuron. Benzyladenine at 5.6-22.2 mu M supported the best combination of shoot quality and number. Rooting of microshoots in vitro was best on half-strength WPM containing 6.71 mu M naphthaleneacetic acid and 0.1% activated charcoa l.