ADVENTITIOUS SHOOT REGENERATION FROM LEAF EXPLANTS OF GYPSOPHILA-PANICULATA L

Adventitious shoots were successfully regenerated from leaf explants o f Gypsophila paniculata L. The efficiency of shoot regeneration for cv . Arbel was tested on 18 media based on Murashige and Skoog basal medi um containing different concentrations of thidiazuron or 6-benzylamino purine in combination with naphthaleneacetic acid. Both explant age an d that of the cuttings used as leaf donors affected the regeneration e fficiency. The highest efficiency of adventitious shoot regeneration w as obtained with the oldest leaves originating from the youngest cutti ng analyzed; on thidiazuron-containing medium, shoots regenerated on a verage from 67% of the leaves, with an average of seven shoots per exp lant. This regeneration procedure was suitable for all six commercial cultivars studied. Regenerated shoots elongated, rooted and successful ly acclimatized to the greenhouse where they were grown to flowering.