MICROPROPAGATION OF GUAZUMA-CRINITA MART BY ROOT AND PETIOLE CULTURE

Shoot organogenesis of Guazuma crinita Mart. from root and petiole exp lants was obtained via adventitious bud formation. Root segments and p etiole explants excised from in vitro generated plantlets were culture d on woody plant medium (WPM) supplemented with trans-6-(4-hydroxy-3-m ethylbut-2-enyl)aminopurine] (zeatin) or with [6-benzyladenine] (BA). After 45 d of culturing, clumps of green bulbous structures containing small adventitious buds (clusters) were generated in all explants cul tured with 10 mu M zeatin under a photon Aw density of 65 mu mol m(-2) s(-1). For subsequent shoot differentiation, clusters were transferre d onto medium containing 1 mu M zeatin. After 60 d of culturing, 30% o f clusters generated from petiole explants developed into plants. The regenerated plantlets were successfully acclimatized and all survived and grew well. No morphological abnormalities were observed.