Factors affecting adventitious bud induction in Pinus elliottii (Engelm.) embryos cultured in vitro

Embryos of slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) were induced to form adventitious buds when placed in culture on nutrient media supplemented with cytokinin. Buds were induced on media containing Risser & White major salts. The high content in nitrogen of Murashige & Skoog formulation seems to be deleterious for this in vitro system, since morphogenic responses were only promoted when nitrogen concentration was drastically reduced in the macronutrient formulation. Factors such as concentration of cytokinin (6-benzyladenine) and time and method of exposure (liquid or solid induction medium) strongly influenced bud formation and development. The greatest number of buds and shoots were obtained from 22.0 M cytokinin, but these shoots showed less and slower development than those induced with low dosages of cytokinin. The presence of naphthaleneacetic acid in combination with cytokinin in the induction medium decreased the frequency of bud formation.Abbreviations (BA) 6-benzyladenine - (NAA) 1-naphthaleneacetic acid