INVITRO MORPHOGENESIS IN THE GLOBE ARTICHOKE (CYNARA-SCOLYMUS L)

The successful in vitro regeneration of shoots from bracts of globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) is reported. Shoot regeneration was induced in bracts collected from very young (1.5-2 cm in lenght) capitula of cv. Romanesco. Bract cultures were maintained on MS medium containing very different hormonal balances. From all combinations of growth regulators utilized, the most rapid and the most prolific callusing response was obtained using a combination of 5 mg/l NAA and 2 mg/l BAP. Shoot differentiation occured after about 5 weeks, starting from the lower region of the bract explant. Shoot elongation was obtained following transfer to MS medium containing 0.5 mg/l IBA and 0.5 mg/l BAP. Considering the previous negative results using several artichoke explants and the positive response of the bracts under very different culture conditions, the importance of explant origin in the in vitro response is emphasized. © 1990.