Plantlet regeneration of Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gord. from mature embryos

Abstract

A high frequency (90.5%) of shoot bud induction was observed in mature zygotic embryos of Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gord. that were pre-cultured in Quoirin and Lepoivre (LP) medium containing 23.15 μM Kn for 4 wk and then transferred to growth regulator-free medium. Multiplication and elongation of the shoot buds resulted in 1/2 LP medium containing 0.5 μM IBA and 4.5 μM BAP or Kn. Rooting was 72.3% in isolated shoots that were treated with 53.76 μMNAA for 24 h and then cultured on water-agar medium. Plantlets were hardened and successfully established on soil collected from pine forests with 70% survival. Biomass of the micropropagated plants was 3.2 times higher than seed-derived plants.