Experimental bisection of Aquilegia floral buds cultured in vitro. I. The effect on growth, primordia initiation, and apical regeneration

Abstract

Floral buds of different stages of development were bisected and cultured in vitro. Subsequent development of floral primordia and regeneration of new apices were observed and recorded by maintaining a continuous photographic record of individual buds. In this way it was possible to correlate the time required for apical regeneration, number of subsequent primordial whorls formed on intact and cut surfaces, and the development of bisected buds as compared to control buds. It was concluded that a greater number of floral primordia are predetermined in progressively older buds and that the oldest buds are incapable of apical regeneration.