Micropropagtion of apple cv. Tydeman's Early Worcester

Axillary buds of apple cv. Tydeman's Early Worcester collected during the s pring and summer seasons produced significantly higher percentage of explan t establishment (75%) as compared to buds collected during other seasons. T he buds were grown on MS mineral salts having 4.4 mu M BAP, 2.8 mu M GA(3) and 0.5 mu M IBA. Addition of different combinations and concentrations of antioxidants and adsorbents to the MS medium in the initial phase of cultur e reduced phenol exudation to some extent and increased survival percentage . The: shoots were multiplied on MS medium with 2.2 mu M BAP and 7.5 mu M K IN. For induction of roots, the shoots were kept in liquid medium (LM) cont aining 1.5 mu M IBA and 15 g l(-1) sucrose for 9 days before transferring t hem to an agar-solidified rooting medium. The inclusion of 100 mg l(-1) phl oroglucinol (PG) in the LM as well as in the agar-solidified medium proved beneficial for early and better root development. The micropropagated plant s showed 90% survival in nursery conditions. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.