A METHOD TO INDUCE POLYPLOIDS FROM ADULT STRAWBERRY PLANTS, FRAGARIA SPP., AVOIDING TISSUE-CULTURE IN-VITRO

A method is described of inducing polyploids in detached stolons using an aqueous solution of colchicine, DMSO and glycerol. The donor plant remains uncontaminated and can be grown further to produce more stolo ns. The putative colchiploids can be chosen on a morphological basis a nd confirmed cytologically. About 10% of the treated stolons, starting with diploid and tetraploid strawberry, are converted, but 50% nonvia bility is caused by the treatment. The method can be applied to some o ther species and shoot types, using other chemicals with chromosome do ubling or reducing effect, or even mutagens. The principle can be used without colchicine treatment to obtain strawberry plants from stolons without contamination of the soil around the main clone.