Plant regeneration from in vitro leaf tissues of Viburnum dentatum L

Abstract

Shoots were regenerated from in vitro leaf tissues of two genotypes of Viburnum dentatum, a popular shrub species for landscape use. Adventitious shoots were induced when leaf tissues were cultured on woody plant medium (WPM) supplemented with either benzyladenine (BA) or thidiazuron (TDZ). Effects of cytokinin concentration, indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), and dark treatment on shoot regeneration were investigated. Dark treatment for the first 4 weeks of leaf explants cultured in the regeneration medium significantly increased the frequency of regeneration. The highest frequency of shoot regeneration (70%) for ‘Synnesvedt’ was obtained when leaf tissues were cultured in the medium with 40 μM BA or 8 μM TDZ with 4 weeks dark treatment. The highest frequency of shoot regeneration (90%) for ‘MN34’ was found in the 4 μM TDZ medium with 4 weeks dark treatment. Addition of IBA significantly enhanced shoot regeneration. Ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) treatment inhibited callus proliferation, particularly in the early stage of callus recovery; however, no significant difference in shoot regeneration among different treatments was observed, indicating that the inhibitory effect of EMS was minimal after calluses re-acquired their capacity to grow and regenerate in the regular medium. Regenerated shoots (>1.5 cm) were rooted in the half-strength MS medium containing 5-10 μM IBA or naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Rooted plants were transferred to the potting medium and grown in the greenhouse.