Influence of benzyladenine and gibberellic acid on organogenesis in 'Crimson Giant' Easter cactus

• Published in: Plant growth regulation 1997, Vol.22 (2), p.131-136
• Main Authors: Boyle, T.H, Marcotrigiano, M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: benzyladenine; Biological and medical sciences; dose response; flowering; flowers; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; gibberellic acid; growth; Hatiora; in vitro culture; organogenesis; photoperiod; Physical agents; Plant physiology and development; regulation; temperature; timing; Vegetative apparatus, growth and morphogenesis. Senescence
• ISSN: 0167-6903; 1573-5087
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1005838609444

Experiments were performed to determine the influence of gibberellic acid (GA3) and benzyladenine (BA) on organogenesis of 'Crimson Giant' Easter cactus [Hatiora gaertneri (Regel) Barthlott] phylloclades cultured in vitro. The numbers of flower buds and new phylloclades increased linearly as BA concentration increased from 0 to 444.1 micromolar. GA3 increased the number of new phylloclades when present in moderate concentrations (2.9 or 28.9 micromolar), but inhibited flower bud formation when present in concentrations as low as 0.3 micromolar. The inhibitory effect of GA3 on flower bud formation was diminished when the medium was amended with BA at 44.4 or 444.1 micromolar. Explants cultured in media that contained 288.7 micromolar GA3 produced fewer organs (new phylloclades plus flower buds) compared to those cultured in media with 0,0.3, 2.9, or 28.9 micromolar GA3. BA and GA3 concentrations also affected the percentage of explants with flower buds and the percentage of explants with new phylloclades. This study shows that organogenesis in H. gaertneri can be controlled by varying the concentrations of BA and GA3 in the culture medium.