REQUIREMENTS FOR IN-VITRO ROOTING OF PEONIA-SUFFRUTICOSA ANDR CV MME-DE-VATRY

The effect of different auxin treatments on in vitro rooting of tree p eony (Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.) was studied. Of the three methods tr ied, a protocol involving a root induction phase followed by a root de velopment phase was the most effective. Root induction required darkne ss and high indole-3-butyric acid levels (75 muM) for 10 days, while t he best root quality and quantity was obtained when the root developme nt medium contained 0.3% activated charcoal but no auxin. Preliminary elongation of shoots of tree peony in a medium containing GA3 and 6-be nzyl-aminopurine reduced rooting capacity as compared with non-elongat ed microcuttings. Rooting percentage and mean number of roots of elong ated microcuttings increased if axillary buds were removed from their bases before transfer to the root induction medium. In contrast, rooti ng of non-elongated microcuttings was favoured if basal axillary buds were maintained. Overall, non-elongated shoots gave better rooting res ponse than the elongated shoots.