Formation of shoots from leaf axils of Alstroemeria: The effect of the position on the stem

Direct shoot regeneration was induced from leaf explants of Alstroemeria. The explants contained a leaf blade and a small portion of stem node, which were cut from the erect shoots of in vitro multiplicated plantlets. The shoot regeneration capacity of the excised leaf explants was significantly related to the position of the explant on the stem. The youngest explant which was located closest to the shoot apex gave the highest response. A gradient response toward the shoot apex was observed in percentage of shoot regeneration and in the number of shoots per regenerating explant. Histological studies revealed that the shoots were initiated at the leaf axils. The origin of the adventitious buds was located at the epidermal layer of stem peripheral cells. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.