EFFECTS OF MICROPROPAGATION TECHNIQUES ON GROWTH. AND DEVELOPMENT OF MINIATURE ROSES.
An efficient micropropagation system is being investigated to produce low cost and high quality miniature rose plants. Dormant literal buds of miniature roses were cultured on media containing MS, 30 g·l-1 sucrose, 8 g·l-1, and 25 combinations of NAA and BA. Initial explant growth was achieved on a medium containing NAA at 0.001-0.01 ppm and BA at 0.1 ppm. The highest multiplication rate was achieved when explants were subcultured on a medium containing MS, NAA at 0.01 ppm, BA at 2 ppm, and sucrose at 30 g·l-1. Growth was enhanced after culturing when dormant buds had more parental stem tissue. In addition, explants from the lowest two nodes with the shortest internode length exhibited the poorest growth. The higher the photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) (5 to 40 μmol·s-1m-2), the more quickly explants grew and aged. The most optimal PPF for initial growth was 20 μmol·s-1m-2. Subculture microcuttings of one cm or more in length grew vigorously one month after cuttings were dipped in 1000 ppm IBA and placed on a mist bench. Our results indicate that micropropagation of miniature roses has high potential for use in commercial industry.