In vitro shoot regeneration from flower and leaf explants in Rhododendron

Abstract

Rhododendron shoot regeneration was accomplished using either flower explants (each consisting of ovary with pedicel) of Rhododendron cvs. Nova Zembla and Irina or leaves isolated from in vitro grown Rhododendron catawbiense Michx. Multiple shoot tip clumps were obtained on Anderson's medium containing 0.5 to 1.5 mg dm-3 thidiazuron (TDZ) in combination with 12 to 15 mg dm-3 N6-[2-isopentenyl]adenine (2iP) and 1 to 3 mg dm-3 indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). After 16 weeks on the regeneration media, explants with shoot tip clumps were transferred for shoot elongation to Anderson's medium with 3 mg dm-3 2iP. Two months later, the shoots have reached 5 to 40 mm in length and were fit for subcultivation.