Chemical Factors Controlling Floral Bud Formation of Torenia Stem Segments Cultured in Vitro II. Effects of Growth Regulators

Correlative effects between growth regulators added to a mediumand different physiological states of explants on adventitiousbud formation and flowering were investigated using Toreniastem segments cultured in vitro. Indoleacetic acid stimulatedfloral bud formation and its development in explants taken fromreproductive plants. These stimulative effects were clearlyseen in explants taken from plants in which flower abscissionwas taking place, but insignificant when explants were preparedfrom younger materials. Abscisic acid acted in a reverse wayto auxin, greatly promoting floral bud initiation and floweringof originally vegetative explnts. Zeatin at a concentrationof 1 mg/liter inhibited floral bud formation, and at a low concentrationsit was generally ineffective. However, floral bud formationand flowering of explants taken either from basal parts of stemsor from 18- to 20-week-old plants were promoted by zeatin treatment.The action of gibberellic acid seemed rather indirect: at aconcentration of 0.01 mg/liter, it generally stimulated floralbud formation but at a concentration of 1 mg/liter, it was ofteninhibitory. (Received January 17, 1981; Accepted February 21, 1981)