SHOOT AND TREE PRODUCTION FROM ASPEN TISSUE CULTURES

Trees were produced from firm white callus tissue of triploid quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.), initiated on a modified Wolter and Skoog defined medium and subcultured monthly for two years. When subcultured to medium without auxin, kinetin or supplements, but containing 0.15 mg/liter BAP (6-benzylaminopurine), multiple stunted shoots appeared on most inocula. However, at 0.05 mg/liter BAP, only a few vigorous shoots per piece were initiated, but seven rooted on the callus: two in the dark with BAP and five in 200 ft-c of light with 0.04 mg/liter 2,4-D. After proliferation of the roots on the medium surface, four shoots elongated and were planted in semi-sterilized soil, then were given 3100 ft-c of light for rapid growth into trees. Both light sources were on for 16 hr/day. Two trees were also grown from stunted shoots excised from the callus and rooted in soil.