044 VARIETAL DIFFERENCES IN EARLY EX VITRO GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF MICROPROPAGATED PONTEDERIA CORDATA L.
Micropropagation is a commercially viable and ecologically sound method for producing native herbaceous wetland plants used for wetland revegetation projects. The ability to rapidly screen, select and store germplasm of wetland species genotypes with desirable characteristics of growth rate and habit, nutrient uptake capacity, and/or substrate preference would significantly impact how micropropagated wetland plants are marketed. Early screening of plantlet growth ex vitro may provide an efficient method to select for specific characteristics of growth rate and habit. Five micropropagated lines of Pontederia cordata of differing phenotype were established in vitro from Florida populations. Rooted microcuttings were established ex vitro in a shallow outdoor tank. Growth and development were monitored over a 9 week period. Significant differences in shoot growth and number, leaf area and number, flowering and dry weights were observed between the different Pontederia cordata varieties.