AN IMPROVED MICROPROPAGATION SYSTEM FOR CHRYSANTHEMUM BASED ON PLURONIC F-68-SUPPLEMENTED MEDIA

Supplementation of MS-based medium containing 4.4 mu M 6-benzyladenine and 2.7 mu M alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid with 0.001-0.1% (w/v) of th e non-ionic, co-polymer surfactant, Pluronic F-68, significantly (p < 0.05) increased the mean fresh weight gain of cultured leaf explants o f chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora) ''Tone Maid'' and ''Early C harm'' by a maximum of 74% and 34%, respectively. The percentage of in dividual explants giving adventive shoots was also stimulated by Pluro nic F-68; for cv. Early Charm, 0.001% (w/v) Pluronic F-68 induced the maximum response, whereas for cv. Tone Maid, the maximum response occu rred with 0.01% surfactant. Shoot regeneration from explants was also enhanced at these concentrations of surfactant, compared to explants c ultured in the absence of Pluronic F-68.