Factors Affecting Establishment and Growth of Peach Shoots in Vitro1

Abstract

Abstract Contamination was reduced from 100 to 3.3% if surface-sterilized forced lateral shoots of peach ( Prunuspersica (L.) Batsch), dissected to 0.5–1.0 cm, were cultured rather than similarly sterilized dormant lateral buds which had met their chilling requirement. Optimum shoot tip growth was obtained on a liquid Murashige and Skoog salts medium supplemented with 0.01 mg/liter indolebutyric acid (IBA) and 0.2 mg/liter 6-benzylamino purine (BA). Growth on liquid media was significantly greater than on solid media. Survival of shoot tips at 21° – 24°C was significantly greater than at 26° or 30°. Peach cultivars differed significantly in their survival in vitro .