Ethylene involvement in in vitro organogenesis and plant growth of Populus tremula L

The role of ethylene in the organogenesis in vitro of nodal segments of poplar (Populus tremula L) was studied. The results indicate that there is a relationship between organogenesis and ethylene because inhibition of its synthesis with AVG, added to the standard MS medium containing naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), inhibited shoot elongation, induction and development of buds and root formation. These effects were reversed when the explants were transferred to standard MS medium before 20 days and not later than 30 days after treatment. Conversely, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) and 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (CEPA) stimulated all these responses. Explants cultured on MS medium produce ethylene during culture. Furthermore, AVG inhibited ethylene production whereas ACC and CEPA enhanced it. Therefore ethylene can be related with organogenesis in explants of Populus tremula L.