The effect of cytokinins in vitro on the growth and development of Elatior begonias (Begonia Elatior-hybr.)

Abstract

Micropropagation involves the risk of somaclonal variation among the regenerated plants. It is possible that the components of the nutrient medium, especially growth substances, increase the frequency of variation. Elatior Begonia 'Barbara' plants were micropropagatedusing four cytokinins (zeatin 0.5—2.0 mg/l, kinetin 0.5—2.0 mg/l, IPA 0.5—2.0 mg/l or BAP 0.05—0.65 mg/l) in vitro. The number of shoots produced per explant and the subsequent quality of full-sized, flowering plants were studied. In general, the number of big (> 1 cm) and medium-sized (0.5 —1.0 cm) shoots decreased and the number of small (