Plant regeneration of Fraxinus angustifolia by in vitro shoot organogenesis

The in vitro regeneration of Fraxinus angustifolia through bud/shoot organo genesis on embryonic explants was investigated. Embryo axes and cotyledons from mature seeds underwent adventitious regeneration after exposure to gro wth regulators, the embryo axes showing a greater regenerative potential th an cotyledons. While the MS medium proved effective for the induction and i nitiation phases, it was inadequate for bud development, and was replaced b y DKW medium. A constant supply of benzyladenine (BA) appeared essential fo r all phases. The gelling agents used had an important role in morphogenesi s: Duchefa Gelrite positively affected the number of new buds per explant. The rooting of developed shoots was easily achieved on auxin-free WPM mediu m and most of the rooted plantlets "hardened" after a period of acclimation in a mist greenhouse. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.