Somaclonal variations as a mean for obtaining regenerants with different growth rates in poplar ( Populus × berolinensis Dipp.)

Abstract

Adventive regenerants of Populus × berolinen- sis Dipp. were obtained on 1/2 MS salts with su- crose, vitamins, BA, TDZ and NAA using stem, petiole and leaf explants. They differed from each other in plantlet dimensions. More than 50 clones were produced from initial regenerants by excision and rooting of apexes and lateral shoots. Differences in stem length and thick- ness were observed between 200 field plants produced from in vitro plantlets. Differences in stem length were conditioned mainly due to dif- ferent number of internodes and not by inter- nodes’ lengths. Plants grown from cuttings ex- cised from highest and smallest plants retained the abilities of mother plants to grow with dif- ferent rates. It is concluded that somaclonal va- riability can be used for selection of fast grow- ing poplar plants which are necessary for in- dustrial plantations. These plants can be used for this purpose without the limitations exist- ing for transgenic plants.