IMAZALIL ENHANCES THE SHOOT-INDUCING EFFECT OF BENZYLADENINE IN SPATHIPHYLLUM-FLORIBUNDUM SCHOTT

In Spathiphyllum floribundum 'Petite' Schott shoot induction by benzyl adenine (BA) was enhanced dramatically by adding the imidazole fungici de imazalil to the medium. As the concentration of imazalil increased, the number of shoots increased, and finally their size was reduced to a small meristematic dome, An average of 127 shoots/explant developed when 2.5 mg/L BA was combined with 16 mg/L imazalil. Doubling the BA concentration had no significant effect on shoot induction. Imazalil d id not affect the root-inhibiting effect of BA. When imazalil was appl ied without BA, the number of roots and total root length/plant were r educed, but no new shoots developed.