In Vitro Multiple Bud Formation by 20-year-old Western Larch Buds and Stems

Abstract

Vegetative long-shoot buds, greenwood stems, and immature needles of 20-year-old western larch (Larix occidentalis Nutt.) were cultured to induce multiple bud formation. Explants were collected year-round and cultured on a modified Schenk and Hildebrandt (SH) medium containing 6-benzyladenine (BA) at 0, 1, 5, 10, 50, or 100 μm. Multiple buds were produced on buds and stems with terminal meristems, but not on needles or stem sections. The induction of de novo buds and development of axillary buds required BA at 1 to 10 μm; higher concentrations of BA were less effective. More explants formed multiple buds on SH than on modified Murashige and Skoog (MS) media. Multiple buds formed on more buds and stems excised during the growing season than from dormant buds. Buds cultured on media containing gibberellin died within 6 weeks; auxin caused bud elongation but no multiple buds formed. Chemical names used: N-[(trichloromethyl)thio]-4-cyclohexene-1,2-dicarboximide (captan); 6-benzyladenine (BA); 1H-indole-3-butyric acid (IBA); 1H-indole-3-acetic acid (IAA); gibberellin (GA4+7).