Micropropagation of six Paulownia genotypes through tissue culture

Abstract

We investigated the effect of genotype and culture medium on the in vitro germination and development of plantlets from seeds of 6 different Paulownia genotypes (P. tomentosa, hybrid lines P. tomentosa × P. fortunei (Mega, Ganter and Caroline), P. elongata and hybrid line P. elongata × P. fortunei). Nodal and shoot tip explants were used for micropropagation of Paulownia genotypes by manipulating plant growth regulators. The highest germination percentage for all genotypes was obtained for seeds inoculated on medium supplemented with 50 mg*L GA3 (MSG2). On Thidiazuron containing media, the explants of hybrid line P. elongata × P. fortunei exhibited the highest frequency of axillary shoot proliferation following by P. tomentosa × P. fortunei. The results are discussed with the perspective of applying an improved protocol for in vitro seed germination and plantlet formation in several economically valuable Paulownia genotypes.