CLONAL PROPAGATION OF PONCIRUS-TRIFOLIATA THROUGH CULTURE OF SHOOT PRIMORDIA

In Poncirus trifoliata, a highly efficient clonal propagation system f or the culture of shoot primordia was devised. Shoot primordia were in duced at the base of hypocotyl tissue cultured on MS medium supplement ed with 44.4 mu M BA, 3% sucrose and 0.8% agar. In MS liquid medium (4 4.4 mu M BA, 3% sucrose) on a rotary shaker at two revolutions per min ute, shoot primordia of Poncirus grew in size and number. Plant regene ration occurred on MS solid medium. Frequency of regeneration was high est on MS basal medium containing 3% sucrose and 0.8% agar. About 75 s hoot buds regenerated from one shoot primordium. Histological observat ions showed that shoot buds arose from cells in the hypodermal layers of the shoot primordium. The shoot bud developed a vascular system, wh ich became connected to the shoot primordium tissue. Regenerated shoot s rooted on 1/2 MS basal medium or 1/2 MS medium supplemented with 0.5 or 5.0 mu M IBA. These rooted shoots were acclimatized easily under i ntermittent mist.