MULTIPLE SHOOT FORMATION FROM NORMAL AND MALFORMED SOMATIC EMBRYO EXPLANTS OF EASTERN REDBUD (CERCIS-CANADENSIS-L)

A procedure for multiple shoot formation from somatic embryo explants of Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis L.) cultured on DKW medium contai ning benzyladenine (BA) and thidiazuron (TDZ) was developed. TDZ in co mbination with BA produced more shoots than either treatment alone. Th e highest number of shoots (3.3 to 3.4 shoots per explant) was obtaine d from partially desiccated and wounded explants treated with combinat ion of 5 or 10 mu M BA and 0.5 or 1.0 mu M TDZ for 20 days before bein g transferred to the same medium without TDZ. The number of shoots for med was increased from 1.5 to 3.2 shoots per explant by cutting throug h the cotyledonary node prior to culture. In addition, the frequency o f explants forming shoots was increased by desiccation of somatic embr yo explants to approximately 50% moisture and by using somatic embryos with two well formed cotyledons as explants.