Ex-Vitro Acclimation of some Horticultural Species in Hydroculture

Abstract

At the Fruit Research Station of Cluj a simple and efficient ex-vitro acclimation method for in vitro-rooted plantlets was set up for various horticultural species. This method consists of transferring the rooted plantlets into uncapped glass or plastic vessels containing a layer of 1-3 cm of water that should not reach above root level. The water should have an optimal pH for each species for which this acclimation method is applied. Acclimation is accomplished in 3-4 weeks, during which the plantlets grow faster than in the case of the classical acclimation on solid substrate and they generate new roots, being suitable for planting into pots. This technique was successfully applied for a large number of species: raspberry, blackberry (Rubus sp), black currant (Ribes nigrum), highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), plum tree (Prunus domestica), cherry rootstock Prunus cerasus), rose (Rosa sp.), Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, Iresine sp., Exacum affine, geranium (Chrysanthemum sp.) ornamental tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), cornichon cucumber (Cucumis sativus), watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris), Luffa cylindrica, Sequoia sempervirens, Drosera rotundifolia and Cymbidium.