In vitro shoot proliferation rate of Dieffenbachia exotica cultivar ‘Marianna’ as affected by cytokinins, the number of recultures and the temperature

Abstract

The presence of either N 6-(Δ-isopentenyl)adenine (2iP) or kinetin in the medium was a prerequisite by Dieffenbachia for shoot formation in vitro. Sixteen mg l −1 of 2iP proved slightly more effective than kinetin at 2 mg l −1, (6,2 and 4,5 shoots per flask, respectively). Successive recultures of the basal clump of tissue remaining after the first culture, resulted in an increase in the number of new shoots. Shoot proliferation rate was maximized at 27°C and declined sharply at 32°C. All plants produced by this method were true-to-type plants with good quality characteristics.