Differences between Dianthus caryophyllus L cultivar in in vitro growth and morphogenesis are related to their ethylene production

The involvement of ethylene in the vitro development of shoots from nodal segments of two cultivars of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) was studied. Shoots of cv. Barbaret Antares showed low hyperhydricity in contrast with the high levels showed by cv. Barbaret Tanga when both were cultured in airtight culture vessels. Longer shoots were produced, in both cases, when the rate of gas exchange in the culture vessel was increased by using vented closures, which also prevented hyperhydricity and increased the multiplication coefficient in cultures of Barbaret Tanga. The two cultivars produced ethylene throughout the culture period but, a higher amount was produced during the first, second and fourth weeks in culture by the cultivar more sensitive to ventilation (Barbaret Tanga). Trapping ethylene did not produce any effect on cv. Barbaret Antares but improved the quality of cv. Barbaret Tanga explants, decreasing hyperhydricity and increasing the number of shoots, the length of the main shoot and the multiplication coefficient. These effects were more marked when ethylene was trapped during the first two weeks in culture.