SHOOT REGENERATION FROM LEAF TISSUES OF AMERICAN ELM AND SIBERIAN ELM.
Shoot regeneration was obtained from leaf tissues of American (Ulmus americana) and Siberian elm (U. pumila) seedlings germinated in vitro and in greenhouse. Murashige and Skoog (MS, 1962) media supplemented with 4 levels of BA (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 μM) and 3 levels of IBA (0, 2.5, 5.0 μM) were tested in a factorial design to find an optimal hormonal combination for shoot regeneration. Shoot regeneration was obtained from both species within 3-4 weeks in a wide range of media. The highest regeneration rate (50%) of American elm was in the medium containing 10 μM BA and 2.5 μM IBA. Incubation under the light was essential for a higher rate of regeneration. Gelrite was found as a better solidifying agent than agar. The progress is under way to achieve transgenic elms by combining this regeneration system with Agrobacterium-mediated transformation.