THE INFLUENCE OF APICAL DOMINANCE ON THE IN-VITRO MULTIPLICATION OF THE RHIZOME OF ALSTROEMERIA

The effects of mechanical and chemical methods of removing or reducing apical dominance on the multiplication of Alstroemeria cultivars grown in vitro were assessed. Subculture of rhizome explants without aerial shoot or rhizome apices and of rhizome explants divided into single internodes with or without aerial shoots, significantly enhanced rhizome multiplication. Subculture of rhizome explants with only the aerial shoot or rhizome apices removed produced no significant differences. Addition of the plant growth regulators TIBA, thidiazuron, NAA, GA3 and paclobutrazol to culture media, with or without BAP, did not significantly change the numbers of lateral rhizomes, shoots or roots produced. Paclobutrazol, however, extensively changed explant morphology.