Accelerated propagation of Chionanthus virginicus via embryo culture

Abstract

Traditional seed propagation (warm/cold stratification) was compared to embryo culture of Chionanthus virginicus L. to determine if germination could be promoted and time necessary to produce a sizable plant could be reduced. Embryos of C. virginicus were extracted from immature fruit collected 9, 16, and 23 Aug. 1995 and grown in vitro on Anderson's rhododendron medium. They germinated in 4 weeks and were transferred ex vitro to flats. Mature fruit from the same source were grown simultaneously using warm/cold stratification. The two groups were evaluated periodically over a 2-year period for percent germination, plant size, and seedling success. The embryo-cultured plants had a lower survival rate (16% vs. 44%) and were more labor intensive. After 2 years, embryo-cultured plants were 13.4-fold the mass and 4.7-fold taller than traditionally grown plants. Ten-month-old cultured plants were comparable in size to 2-year-old plants grown traditionally.