In vitro Studies on Pinus

Hypocotyl tissue from Pinus gerardiana was established in culture on White's basal medium supplemented with 2 % sucrose, 10% (v/v) coconut milk, 500 mg/l casein hydrolysate and 1 mg/1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Various organic and inorganic nutrients were studied in order to determine the specific nutritional requirements of the tissue in vitro. Sucrose, glucose and maltose were equally effective as fixed carbon sources. The inorganic nutrient combination of White's medium was found to be better than that of Murashige and Skoog's medium. White's modified basal medium supplemented with coconut milk, casein hydrolysate and 2,4-D was the most successful nutrient combination. Glutamine was as effective as casein hydrolysate in promoting growth of the tissue.