In vitro cultivation of donor quince shoots affects subsequent morphogenesis in leaf explants

The effect of in vitro cultivation of donor shoots on subsequent morphogenesis in leaf explants of quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.) clone BA29 was investigated. Proliferating donor shoots were cultured in ventilated or closed vessels under different photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFD; 200 and 100 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) with 0, 15, 30 g dm⁻³ sucrose. Shoots grown in ventilated vessels, especially with sucrose at 15 or 30 g dm⁻³, were better developed with fully expanded leaves compared to those in standard closed vessels. Leaves collected from pre-treated donor shoots were used to assess regeneration capacity. Somatic embryo production was highest in leaves harvested from shoots cultured in closed vessels with 30 g dm⁻³ sucrose and in ventilated vessels with 15 and 30 g dm⁻³ sucrose and under high PPFD which was, in comparison with the control treatment (closed vessel, 30 g dm⁻³ sucrose and low PPFD), about 2 to 2.5 times higher. A similar response was observed for root regeneration.