Factors affecting the in vitro regeneration and the rooting of defoliated cuttings of the olive cultivars ‘kalamon’ and ‘koroneiki’

Abstract

Comparison of the growth and development of explants of two cvs. of olive (‘Kalamon’ and ‘Koroneiki’) were made using highly vigorous shoots from previously cut back trees, sucker shoots and also some canopy shoots. The regenerative capacity of the two cvs. differed significantly, ‘Kalamon’ being less able to regenerate shoots and roots. There was a marked effect of vigor of shoot, in both cvs. the most vigorous shoots gave the best growth in tissue culture and also highest rooting percentages pointing to the most suitable shoots for plant production in tissue culture. This effect may be related to the relative degree of juvenility of the original cutting material used. It was also found that original shoots of ‘Kalamon’ held in jars of water formed adventitious roots, while similar shoots of ‘Koroneiki’ did not. (‘Kalamon’ and ‘Koroneiki’) were made using highly vigorous shoots from previously cut back trees, sucker shoots and also some canopy shoots. The regenerative capacity of the two cvs. differed significantly, ‘Kalamon’ being less able to regenerate shoots and roots. There was a marked effect of vigor of shoot, in both cvs. the most vigorous shoots gave the best growth in tissue culture and also highest rooting percentages pointing to the most suitable shoots for plant production in tissue culture. This effect may be related to the relative degree of juvenility of the original cutting material used. It was also found that original shoots of ‘Kalamon’ held in jars of water formed adventitious roots, while similar shoots of ‘Koroneiki’ did not. © 2003 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.